Editorial: Time to fix sad state of housing

Emma-Lita Bourne, 2, died in part because of poor housing.

It's heart-wrenching to think that in a country which used to have one of the best welfare systems in the world, children are dying in sub-standard state housing.

I say "used to" because it seems the state is failing to provide adequate assistance to the most vulnerable people in our country, and it's getting worse.

Time and time again, we hear about the widening gap between the rich and poor. We hear about the Government cracking down on welfare fraudsters, which is fair enough, but how often do we hear about those well-heeled fraudsters ripping off mum and dad investors doing time in our overcrowded prisons?

Not enough, in my opinion.

As shocking at it was, we all heard about South Auckland toddler Emma-Lita Bourne, whose death was blamed in part on the poor condition of the family's state house. And if it's happening in Auckland, then it's happening here too, as pointed out in today's story.

To paraphrase Mahatma Ghandi - the true measure of any society can be found in how it treats its most vulnerable members - and it seems the state is failing to heed the call, as our most vulnerable also seem to be the most forgotten.

Rotorua's Dr Johan Morreau sees this situation first-hand and is calling on the state to do something about it.

"There's no question cold, damp housing is an issue and I think it is significant," he said.

The issue is also being taken up by medical professionals around the country. So why does it seem the Government is doing nothing about it?

The call for a housing warrant of fitness scheme seems like a good first step, unless of course you are the owner of one of these sub-standard properties.

In Rotorua, we have the answer right under our feet in the form of geothermal energy. Is it not time to look at this possibility seriously? Or is the problem that it may cost too much and give little return to those with all the money and all the power?

Surely a healthy, strong, productive nation is what we should be striving for. Not sitting back and watching the less well off suffer while we warm our feet by the fire.