Speech
Community Housing Trust Launch
E kui mā, e koro mā, e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi māhana ki a koutou. Kia ora tātou katoa
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, warm greetings to you all.
I specifically acknowledge: Patrick Costelloe, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Community Housing Trust - tēnā koe.
I am very pleased to be here today to officially launch the Community Housing Trust, as the inaugural Patron of the Trust.
Like all New Zealanders I have been impressed by the resourcefulness and ingenuity demonstrated by the people of Christchurch in the post-quake era.
The Trust’s initiative, with its emphasis on the community doing something to increase the well-being of members of the community – providing affordable housing - is a great example of this.
Owning a home seems to be hardwired into the New Zealand psyche. We have always been enthusiastic about home ownership.
The desire to own a piece of land, with a house, has been a huge driver for immigration; from those Maori who arrived a thousand years ago in their waka, to the colonial settlers in their sailing ships 100 years ago, to modern immigrants in jet planes.
All have come seeking a place to call their own and the satisfaction that brings. In many ways, land and esteem –whenua and mana - are connected for us.
It can be a struggle to make the dream of home ownership a reality, particularly here where the land and housing stock have taken such a huge hit. The Government, the City Council and commercial and community groups are working hard to address the housing needs here in Christchurch.
The establishment of this Trust will enable many more people to realise their aspirations.
It will also help improve the standard of housing and increase the number of affordable homes available, both in Christchurch and further afield.
The British scholar and preacher Thomas Fuller once said ‘Charity begins at home, but should not end there’ and following that advice the Trust has been set up to benefit the people of Christchurch and the Canterbury community, and perhaps New Zealanders further afield.
The commitment of the Community Housing Trust to place as many families in affordable housing as it can, will help people find their own place to stand, their turangawaewae.
What the Trust is seeking to do is not the complete solution, but every family helped into their own home will give social and economic benefits to the entire community. It’s for all those things I have just mentioned that’s endeared the Trust as something to support and celebrate.
I wish the Community Housing Trust every success in attaining its goals, and I look forward to seeing families move into their own homes.
Kia ora huihui tātou katoa