Housing a matter of justice in NZ, archbishop tells forum

Archbishop Martin spoke at the Housing Election Forum 2026 at the Anglican Wellington Cathedral of St Paul on September 23.

“Sadly, increasingly, numbers of people in our society are without a place to call home. People are living in crowded accommodation – in sheds and garages, cars, and they’re sleeping rough,” the archbishop said.

“And our Catholic charities like all the other faith . . . charities are increasingly reporting demand for their services for food and shelter and health.

“In the last couple of months, four rough sleepers have died on New Zealand’s streets. People who had no place to call home and . . . nowhere to go.”

Archbishop Martin noted that people are in these desperate circumstances for various reasons and many of these are “complex and hard to solve”.

“. . .  [O]ne thing is indisputable,” the archbishop said, “and that is having a place to call home is the first essential element in restoring dignity, good health, mana and connection with society.”

Archbishop Martin added that Pope Leo XIV has spoken out strongly about issues of poverty, including housing and homelessness.

In a 2026 message for a Brazil campaign, the Pope called on “government authorities to develop good public policies that improve housing conditions for those most in need while also emphasising cooperation between government, civil society and the churches”.

“Housing every person in society should not be a matter solely of charity, but one of justice in our land,” Archbishop Martin said.

“Our country has the resources. How they are allocated and prioritised is what politics is all about. And so it’s really heartening to see so many gather this evening to inform themselves about the choices available to us come election day.

“Christian churches have traditionally been at the front line of serving people in need. But many years ago, the elected government of New Zealand adopted responsibility for . . . . providing the basics of health, education and housing for all its citizens.

“Today, our charities don’t have the resources to solve the housing crisis, but most will be happy to work with government. But government must take primary responsibility and lead the way.

“We mustn’t just move on from issues of housing and homelessness and accept them as inevitable. We need to continue to see with fresh eyes the dignity of every person who is suffering, every person who is our neighbour, for whom, individually and as a society together, we are called to show care and concern.”

Those at the forum heard directly from MPs Tama Potaka (National), Kieran McAnulty (Labour), Tamatha Paul (Green Party), Robert Mason (Opportunity) and Andy Foster (New Zealand First) addressing the topic.

The forum explored homelessness, housing affordability, social housing and pathways to secure, safe and dignified homes for all. Perspectives were grounded in faith and community experience.

Archbishop Martin and Anglican Archbishop Justin Duckworth were co-hosts for the event, which was supported by Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, the Sisters of Compassion, the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services and several other faith-based organisations.

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Housing Election Forum 2026 (Archdiocese of Wellington/YouTube)

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