Kāinga Ora
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PHOTO: Kāinga Ora, FILE

Over 300 jobs at Kāinga Ora are at risk as the public housing agency embarks on another round of restructuring.

Management informed staff of the proposed changes this afternoon, marking a turbulent period for the organization, which has undergone significant changes this year.

The restructuring could result in a net reduction of 321 roles across various teams, including urban planning and design, commercial operations, construction and innovation, and investment management, according to Kāinga Ora.

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Chief Executive Matt Crockett stated that any job cuts would be confirmed by mid-November, emphasizing the agency’s goal to meet the government’s housing delivery expectations efficiently in the coming years.

“Kāinga Ora has expanded over the past five years to implement a successful and extensive building program,” Crockett said in a media release. “We are now transitioning into a phase focused on maintaining a steady pace of social housing builds while upgrading and replacing thousands of homes in our portfolio.”

He stressed the need for appropriate resources to align with their delivery program and achieve their targets.

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In addition to potential job cuts, much of the agency’s board has departed earlier this year, and Crockett has recently taken over as CEO. He acknowledged that today’s announcement begins a consultation period, allowing potentially affected teams to provide feedback on the proposals.

The Public Service Association (PSA) has expressed concern over the job losses, stating that those likely to be affected are crucial to the planning, design, and construction of social housing. Duane Leo, the PSA’s national secretary, emphasized the dedication of these workers and criticized the government’s approach to outsourcing key state functions.

He noted that the proposed redundancies could impact staff across the country, particularly in Auckland, representing around 10% of Kāinga Ora’s workforce.

Despite the challenges, Leo acknowledged that Kāinga Ora had successfully boosted social housing construction, with nearly 5,000 homes built last year alone.

Earlier this year, the agency proposed cutting over a hundred positions, reflecting shifting government priorities towards supporting community housing providers rather than expanding Kāinga Ora.

Recent reports indicate that more than 300 social housing projects nationwide are currently stalled as Kāinga Ora evaluates their economic viability. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has emphasized the importance of results and outcomes, stating, “The management and the board are responsible for delivering those results.”

Auckland Action Against Poverty’s Brooke Pao Stanley criticized the government for its impact on low-income individuals, highlighting ongoing struggles within the housing sector.

SOURCE: 1NEWS