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Why did the number of young people receiving financial assistance for emergency accommodation through the Oranga Tamariki transition assistance helpline fall to fewer than 6 between October 2025 and March 2026, from 13 in the same period a year earlier, as recorded in the Homelessness Insights report to 31 March 2026, and does this reflect reduced need or reduced access?

Answered Question 29069 (2026)
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Asked by

Kieran McAnulty

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • Why did the number of young people receiving financial assistance for emergency accommodation through the Oranga Tamariki transition assistance helpline fall to fewer than 6 between October 2025 and March 2026, from 13 in the same period a year earlier, as recorded in the Homelessness Insights report to 31 March 2026, and does this reflect reduced need or reduced access?

Answered by

Hon Chris Bishop

Member for Hutt South · National Party · Minister of Housing

Answer

I am advised that the number of young people requiring Oranga Tamariki financial assistance for emergency accommodation regularly fluctuates. One of the factors that impacts this is eligibility for assistance from other agencies, and how quickly this can be secured. During the period referenced, agencies trialled a different way of working, which led to more eligible young people receiving support from the Ministry of Social Development at an earlier stage, and not requiring Oranga Tamariki assistance for emergency accommodation.