Building Better Homes, Towns and Cities | Ko ngā wā kāinga hei whakamāhorahora

The Building Better Homes,Towns and Cities National Science Challenge aims to improve the quality and supply of housing and create smart and attractive urban environments.

Launched: 5 May 2016

Funding: Up to $47.9 million over 10 years

Host: BRANZ

Summary

The Challenge is seeking to improve the quality and supply of housing and create smart and attractive environments through:

  • improving housing stock
  • meeting future demand for affordable housing
  • taking up innovation and productivity improvement opportunities
  • improving current and future urban environments and resident’s well-being
  • better systems for improved land-use decisions.

Research outcomes will support New Zealanders to embrace change and to understand what sustainable and effective-land use means for our 21st century lives.

Challenge objective

To improve the quality and supply of housing and create smart and attractive urban environments.

Title translation

[Ko ngā] wā kāinga - (noun) distant home, true home, home, home base

hei whakamāhorahora - (verb) to make someone feel at home, putting people at ease, making people feel comfortable

Listen to the Māori title [MP3, 282 KB] 

Collaboration partners

  • Auckland University of Technology
  • Lincoln University
  • Massey University
  • University of Auckland
  • University of Canterbury
  • University of Otago
  • University of Waikato
  • Victoria University of Wellington
  • Opus International Consultants
  • PrefabNZ
  • Scion
  • Auckland Council Research Investigation and Monitoring Unit (RIMU)
  • Centre for Research, Evaluation and Social Assessment (CRESA)
  • Institute of Geological and Nuclear Science (GNS Science).