We, the undersigned demand urgent government action to address the escalating homelessness crisis in Hawke's Bay - a crisis deliberately worsened by the coalition government's cruel $1 billion cut to emergency housing in Budget 2025.

• Emergency housing waitlists in Hawke's Bay have increased by 47% since the coalition took office (MSD Q2 2025 Report)  
• Over 280 whānau in Hastings and Napier are currently sleeping rough - up from just 89 this time last year (HB Homelessness Collective survey, May 2025)  
• Foodbanks report 62% of clients are now homeless or in severely overcrowded housing (Nourished for Nil HB, June 2025)  

How the Government Has Failed: 

1. $1.12 billion cut from emergency housing with zero consultation with local providers  
2. All contracted emergency housing to be terminated by December 2025 - displacing 1,200+ Hawke's Bay whānau 
3.  No transitional plan despite warnings from Salvation Army, Vinnies and Māori health providers  
4. $190 million Social Investment Fund is just 18% of what was cut - and has no clear allocation criteria  

What We Demand:

1.  Immediate reversal of all emergency housing cuts  
2.  $250 million emergency fund for Hawke's Bay specifically - matching the scale of need  
3. Mandatory collaboration between MSD, local councils, iwi and health providers on all housing decisions  
4. Transparent reporting on exactly how many people become homeless due to these cuts  

The Human Cost:

• Whanau sleeping in bus shelters while the government bails out landlords  
• Elderly Māori being discharged from hospital straight onto the streets  
• Working families living in cars because the state housing waitlist is 8+ years long  

This isn't fiscal responsibility - it's calculated cruelty. We will not let Hawke's Bay whānau freeze this winter while this government gives tax cuts to millionaires.  

Delivery Plan:
When we reach 5,000 signatures, we will:  
1) Occupy Catherine Wedd's electorate office until she meets with homeless whānau  
2) Table the petition in Parliament during Budget debate  
3) Launch legal action under the Bill of Rights Act if necessary  

Our whānau deserve better than tents. Our communities deserve better than lies. Sign now.

[Sources available from: MSD Quarterly Reports 2024-25, HB Homelessness Collective, CAB Hawke's Bay, University of Otago]

1. Budget 2025 Cuts to Emergency Housing

"Emergency housing funding slashed by $1b over five years" – RNZ, May 2025

> “The Government will cut more than $1 billion from emergency housing, ending all current contracts by December 2025.”

Source – RNZ

2. Rise in Homelessness Nationwide

Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – Severe Housing Deprivation Estimate 2018

> “Over 112,000 people in New Zealand were estimated to be living in severe housing deprivation (2.3% of the population).”

Source – HUDL

Lifewise & Auckland City Mission Reports

> Show an increase in chronic homelessness among single adults, including rangatahi and elderly Māori, due to housing shortages.

3. Discharge into Homelessness

Healthcare and Homelessness – Winston Churchill Fellowship Report, 2016 (Martin Garrick)

> “There were clear instances where elderly or unwell patients were discharged from hospital without secure accommodation.

4. Government Acknowledges Risk of Homelessness Post-Discharge

Aotearoa Homelessness Action Plan 2020–2023 (Ministry of Housing and Urban Development)

> “People discharged from institutions such as prisons or hospitals are at high risk of homelessness without coordinated planning.”

5. Māori Disproportionately Affected

Māori Housing Trends Report – Te Puni Kōkiri (2022)

> “Māori are overrepresented in all forms of housing deprivation, including emergency housing and rough sleeping.”

Source – Te Puni Kōkiri