Abstract
This thesis explores the lived experience of Māori social housing tenants residing in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Over the last five years, New Zealand has seen unprecedented social housing demand and an overrepresentation of Māori experiencing housing need and awaiting placement into a social housing property. This research narrates the experience of Māori tenants entering social housing from beginning to end. It recounts experiences of housing placement and the interactions tenants have with each other and the surrounding environment. This results in a complex understanding of Māori tenant experience centred on people finding a place to belong in new and familiar settings. Through utilising a Kaupapa Māori research framework and using semi-structured interviews, this qualitative project describes the process of creating a home as moving beyond the individual unit. It highlights how the experience of home for Māori tenants is governed by where you live and who you live with. The importance of whakawhanaungatanga, communal space and leadership in establishing a sense of community through tenant interaction, is highlighted. Ultimately, the results emphasise the relevance of incorporating a Māori worldview into social housing design and provision to create social housing environments that support Māori wellbeing.