Te Ururoa Flavell.
Tena ano tatou katoa.
The past two weeks have been recess time from Parliament. For me, it's been a mix of time at home with whanau, serving on the pae at tangihanga, as well as getting around the electorate.
Whanau Ora
I enjoyed spending time at the Whanau Ora conference in Auckland. Hearing the positive stories and outcomes from providers really lifted everyone's spirits.
I also heard some amazing stories from the kaimahi who are doing really great work with our whanau, particularly in the harder-to-reach communities.
I heard stories of one or two tamariki who were participating in a sport programme, and this alone connected their whole whanau to a service that provided them with access to kapa haka groups, te reo classes, and more importantly wananga about whakapapa, and connecting them and their whanau to the many marae within their rohe (tribal boundary).
This whanau are now engaged with services that they were otherwise missing out on, and it has all happened because the kaimahi had access to the whanau and wrapped the services around them that were required. The outcomes are far better when we are working in a holistic manner.
Homelessness
I have continued to work alongside organisations who are working with those struggling to find housing in Rotorua.
My key message is to try to work together to find solutions for the families they are dealing with.
There is nothing worse than sending someone to an organisation for help only to find they've been referred around in a circle and are back where they started.
The lack of quality, warm, safe housing here in Rotorua is worrying, and I know that the agencies are doing their best with what is available.
I am excited about a programme being offered by Indigenuity Maori Land Specialists that will educate and assist people, over a number of sessions, about what is required to become a priority renter.
The programme will focus on what is expected from landlords or rental agencies when applying for a house, and how you should be prepared as a potential tenant.
Safe and warm housing
As of July 1, landlords must ensure their rental properties meet minimum standards set by the Government.
They must have working smoke alarms, and by July 1, 2019 all residential rental properties must have insulation in the underfloor and ceilings - social housing (Housing NZ for example) must have this insulation in place now.
If the standards are not met, a complaint can be made and the landlord can have action taken against them. We have long been the champion of insulating homes, and it's great that the law now reflects that.
Of course we don't want it to stop there and we will continue to advocate for a warrant of fitness on all rental properties, but this is a great first step. There is detailed information about the new laws on www.tenancy.govt.nz.
I welcome your feedback. Email mpwaiariki@parliament.govt.nz or call 0508 924274.
- Te Ururoa Flavell is the MP for Waiariki and the co-leader of the Maori Party.