South Auckland solo mum Maariri Pakuria pregnant and homeless

Maariri Pakuria is due to give birth on June 29th and is currently stuck in emergency motel housing as Housing NZ won’t give her a housing assessment until July 12th.

A pregnant woman days from giving birth faces living in a South Auckland motel with her newborn and young daughter as she waits to be assessed for a state house.

Maariri Pakuria, 20, and her 4-year-old were placed in "emergency accomodation" in Manurewa after she went to a Work and Income office 10 days ago.

She told the Herald that a family breakdown at her parents' home meant she could no longer live with them.

She was booked to have a social housing assessment on July 12 but is due to give birth on Thursday.

But, after being contacted by the Herald, the Ministry of Social Development said tonight it was trying to make an appointment with Pakuria for tomorrow.

Earlier, when the Herald visited Pakuria at the hotel, she broke down in tears as she explained her situation.

She said she told Winz her due date but was told it was the "only appointment they have available".

"I just thought 'What am I going to do? How am I going to bring baby up here?'

"I was on the edge of breaking down. I'm worried what's going to happen next."

She wanted a social housing assessment before her due date so she could get into a safe home before her second daughter is born.

There is no washing machine at the hotel and cooking facilities consist of a microwave and an electric frying pan.

Maariri Pakuria is due to give birth on June 29 and is currently stuck in emergency motel housing as Housing NZ won't give her a housing assessment until July 12. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Pakuria said she had to fulfil obligations of looking for a house if she was to continue getting her emergency accommodation paid for.

This included scouting out houses on TradeMe and providing proof she was going to viewings. She said she had done so over the last two weeks, even though it meant walking to the library to use the internet, but she was worried how she will keep that up with a newborn.

If she didn't fulfill the obligations she said she was told she'll have to pay back the cost of her accommodation which amounts to $910 a week.

"I've only got three days left. What if I have the baby on Thursday?

"All I want is a safe place for my kids."

Ministry of Social development spokesman Eru Lyndon said that since Pakuria went to see Winz, she had been granted emergency housing assistance at the hotel twice at a rate of $910 for seven-nights' accommodation.

"She advised us that a family breakdown with her mother meant she could no longer stay at home and other options were limited as she was concerned for the safety and well-being of her daughter.

"Our first priority has been ensuring they are staying in a warm, dry and safe environment, while we work with Ms Pakuria-Tarawa on finding a more suitable solution long term."

Lyndon said that she was initially booked to have a social housing assessment on July 12 but, after a cancellation, the ministry was trying to get in touch with Pakuria to reschedule the appointment for tomorrow.

"As she is heavily pregnant, we are keen to make things easier for her, by offering a social housing appointment either before or after she has her child. A face-to-face or phone appointment will be readily made available for Ms Pakuria-Tarawa, depending on her preference, and we encourage her to contact us to discuss.

"During this appointment we will look at what housing needs she has and discuss options with her."

Auckland Action Against Poverty advocacy co-ordinator Alastair Russell said the case showed the price people were paying in the housing crisis.

"The remedy is for MSD to look at the social housing providers who are available and to seek an immediate resolution to ensure the safety of a mother, a child and a yet-to-be-born baby."