February 2020 - Visit by UN Special Rapporteur

The UN's Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, Leilani Farha, visited New Zealand this month.

Leilani Farha was here to gather information and insights into how the human right to housing is being realised in New Zealand. She has released a preliminary summary of her findings and recommendations. Her media release and end-of-mission statement is available at https://www.hrc.co.nz/news/new-zealand-housing-crisis-requires-bold-human-rights-response-says-un-expert. A comprehensive report of the visit will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2021.

In her end-of-mission statement, Ms Farha calls for innovation and courage in addressing New Zealand's housing crisis, and calls on the New Zealand Government to develop a human rights-based housing strategy, and also ensure the right to housing is recognised in legislation.