Public Hearings for a cross-party inquiry into homelessness begin today at Te Puea Marae in South Auckland.
The inquiry follows Te Puea marae opening its doors to assist hundreds of homeless families, many of which were living out of their cars in the area.
Today’s hearings mark the beginning of a nationwide inquiry into the issue and the cross-party panel includes Labour MP Phil Twyford, Green Party MP Marama Davidson and Māori Party Co-leader Marama Fox.
The Panel will be presented with stories of the hundreds of people who are homeless, those who were once homeless, those working with the homeless and concerned New Zealanders who made submissions to the Cross-Party Inquiry into Homelessness.
The inquiry was launched by Labour, Green and Māori Parties after National MPs turned down Opposition requests for a Parliamentary select committee inquiry into the issue.
Panel members say the aim of the Inquiry is to hear from whānau, experts and those most impacted about the real scale of homelessness in New Zealand and what the enduring solutions will be.
Further hearings will take place in Christchurch, Tauranga, Kaitaia and Wellington.
More information on the hearings can be located at the web address below.