“The WHO report found that cold indoor temperatures have been associated with increased blood pressure, asthma symptoms and poor mental health. Cold homes contribute to increases in deaths and disease. It is estimated that in New Zealand 1600 additional people die each winter, with respiratory and cardiovascular disease highly prevalent in these alarming statistics. Elderly people, children and those with

Section 1: The Problem Braw, E (2014) Swedish city builds ‘passive houses’ as part of ambitious CO2 reduction targets. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/sweden-passive-housing-co2-reduction-targets (Even more recent homes built to the current Building Code…) Nichol, R (2017) 1600 deaths attributed to cold houses each winter in New Zealand. Noted. Retrieved from https://www.noted.co.nz/currently/social-issues/1600-deaths-attributed-to-cold-houses-each-winter-in-new-zealand/ (At less than 12° C, there is a

Too many homes make people sick The current talk about the housing crisis is almost entirely focused on affordability to purchase and homelessness. Yet there is a more pervasive problem, afflicting New Zealanders whether they rent or own. Researchers like Professor Philippa Howden-Chapman have been researching the health and social implications of sub-standard housing for years: there is a tonne

Our congratulations to Professor Philippa Howden-Chapman as well. I’ve had the opportunity to meet and hear her important research on the direct relation between really bad housing and bad health in children in New Zealand. The huge health care costs of choosing to build poor quality housing is shocking. And that is just the money never mind all the misery and