The Porirua community is in dire straits as the need for state homes far outweighs supply, and with only eight homes available to 173 families, many are being left out in the cold.
Liz Kelly of the Whānau Centre in Porirua says houses are scarce and many are overcrowded.
Shocking figures released by Housing NZ today show that 173 families are waiting for homes, and with 123 homes out for repairs, that leaves only eight vacant houses to be distributed amongst the most needy.
As Kris Faafoi spoke with these happy children in Parliament today, he knows that some families in Porirua won't be smiling for a while.
Labour is promising to build 100,00 new homes in the next 10 years, but Liz Kelly says they must look to their own, to look after their own.