CHA Hub Podcast

In this episode, we speak with Amanda Kelly. Policy and Practice Manager at Community Housing Aotearoa. Amanda brings a background spanning local government, community development, and health promotion—including direct experience supporting Auckland Council's operational response to homelessness. She is an advocate for building the systems and tools that enable better decisions and better outc...

In this episode, we speak with Katie Dalton, Director of Cymorth Cymru — the charity representing homelessness and housing support services across Wales. With a career spanning student politics, mental health policy, and housing advocacy, Katie has been at the centre of Wales's homelessness prevention journey for over a decade — including direct involvement in both the Housing (Wales) Act 2014...

As sister cities, Aspen and Queenstown share more than scenic beauty; they're both wrestling with what happens when free-market real estate prices workers out of resort towns. Sara Ott, Aspen's city manager at the time of this interview, brings hard-won lessons from a community where the average home costs $13 million, yet mixed-income neighbourhoods thrive. We spoke with Sara about the ho...

In this CHA Case Study, we explore the Karamū development by Kāinga Maha – a project that showcases how inclusionary zoning and mixed-tenure housing can come together to create more equitable communities. Karamū is notable as one of the first developments in New Zealand to embed these principles at scale, balancing affordable, public, and market housing within a single neighbourhood to ensure dive...

From teacher retention to student wellbeing, the housing crisis has become an educational issue in Queenstown, forcing schools to think like developers. Oded Nathan is the principal of Wakatipu High School in Queenstown, New Zealand. Leading a diverse school community of over 1,400 students and 140 staff members, he brings a thoughtful perspective on education, community development, and the chall...

The Overton Shift - How public dialogue can unlock bold political action on housing affordability in New Zealand: In this episode we speak with Emily Irwin, Strategic Housing Planner at the Queenstown Lakes District Council. With a background rooted in community planning and housing policy, Emily brings a strong focus on affordability and inclusion to one of New Zealand’s most dynamic resort regio...

How Queenstown is leading New Zealand's inclusionary housing movement and why national legislation matters. In this episode we speak with Anita Vanstone, the Strategic Growth Manager at Queenstown Lakes District Council, where she plays a pivotal role in shaping the region's long-term planning and development strategy. With a background in urban planning, community development, and growth...

Dr Michael Rehm on Auckland's failed experiment and the path forward Dr Michael Rehm is a property academic at the University of Auckland Business School with over 20 years of experience researching New Zealand's housing market. During the formation of Auckland's unitary plan, Michael was engaged by Auckland Council to conduct feasibility studies and Section 32 analysis for proposed in...

Dr Patricia Austin on the legal frameworks, planning systems, and housing needs assessments that make inclusionary zoning work. In this episode we speak with Dr Patricia Austin, a leading housing policy expert at the University of Auckland, where her research focuses on affordable housing mechanisms, planning systems, and community development. With extensive international experience studying hous...

Joining us for this episode is Professor Laurence Murphy, a leading voice in human geography at University of Auckland’s School of Environment. With a distinguished academic background that includes a PhD in urban economic geography from Trinity College Dublin and lecturing roles at renowned institutions including the London School of Economics, he brings deep insight to the intersection of financ...

In this episode, we sit down with Talavao Ngata the Pacific Policy Advisor at CHA, Tala's career bridges human rights, public policy, and community housing with a focus on the Pasifika community. Tala has built a career focused on equity, representation, and access — drawing on her lived experience and cultural identity to advocate for fairer outcomes across Aotearoa. Her work combines academi...

Chris Glaudel is the Deputy Chief Executive of Community Housing Aotearoa, with decades of experience in affordable housing policy and development in both New Zealand and the United States. Before moving to Aotearoa, he worked extensively across California on inclusionary housing and value-capture mechanisms, bringing deep international insight into how planning and housing systems can be designed...

In this episode, we talk with Annie Wilson, Chief Executive of Kāinga Maha, a community housing developer based in Christchurch, New Zealand. Annie has extensive experience across local government, policy, and housing development, bringing a grounded understanding of what it takes to deliver affordable and inclusive communities. Under her leadership, Kāinga Maha has been pioneering approaches that...

In this episode, we speak with Claire Dickinson, a leading planning and housing expert at Quod, one of the UK’s most respected consultancy firms specialising in planning, development, and socio-economic strategy. Claire brings extensive experience advising on major regeneration and housing projects across London and the wider UK — helping local authorities, developers, and housing associations nav...

In this episode, we sit down with Jim Boult, former Mayor of the Queenstown Lakes District and a lifelong resident of the region. Jim has been at the centre of local leadership, navigating the pressures of one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing communities while advocating for solutions to some of its toughest challenges. Our conversation takes a close look at the housing crisis in the Queenstown La...

In this episode we talk with Thomas Gibbons, a leading figure with the Waikato Community Lands Trust, where he plays a key role in shaping innovative approaches to community land ownership and affordable housing development. With a background in both law and governance, Thomas brings a wealth of expertise to the challenges of housing in New Zealand. We sat down with Thomas to explore inclusionary...

In this episode, we explore the work of the Waikato Community Lands Trust, and how community land trusts can provide long-term affordable housing solutions. By separating land ownership from the homes built on it, Community Lands Trusts ensure affordability is preserved in perpetuity. The Waikato Community Lands Trust currently manages eight affordable rental units in Hamilton East and is actively...

In this episode we talk with Harvey Brookes, Executive Director of the Waikato Wellbeing Project. Harvey has spent much of his career working at the intersection of sustainable development, housing, and social wellbeing, helping to connect global frameworks like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, to the realities of communities here in the Waikato. With extensive experience across s...

In this episode we speak with Doctor Mark Davey, the Director of Urban and Spatial Planning, at Hamilton City Council. Mark brings deep experience, leading the city’s land‑use, infrastructure, and climate‑responsive planning strategy. We sat down with Mark and discussed his thoughts on inclusionary housing and value capture. He highlighted the Future Proof partnership, the use of inclusionary zoni...

In this episode we speak with Bernard Hickey - A leading economic commentator and founder of The Kākā, an independent newsletter focused on New Zealand’s political economy. He champions a bold rethinking of housing policy, finance, and public investment for long-term societal wellbeing. We sat down with Bernard, to unpack why housing lies at the heart of New Zealand’s economic challenges, and what...

Building for the long term How long-term thinking can deliver affordable housing In this CHA DeepDive interview,, we explore how New Zealand's largest industry still operates like a cottage industry, why standardisation could cut building costs in half, and how housing policy connects to social stability. This is about more than bricks and mortar. It's about building the foundation for a m...

Heiko Jonkers is a senior leader at Westpac New Zealand, where he plays a key role in shaping the bank’s strategy around sustainable finance, housing affordability, and community engagement. With deep experience in the banking sector and a strong interest in how financial institutions can drive positive social outcomes, Heiko brings a thoughtful and systems-oriented perspective to some of the bigg...

Across Aotearoa, more than 20,000 families are still waiting for a place to call home — despite billions in public spending each year. In this episode, we speak with James Palmer, founder of the Community Housing Funding Agency, about a powerful new approach to affordable housing. By combining KiwiSaver investments, government backing, and community expertise, CHFA is reshaping how we fund and del...

Charles Waldegrave is a pioneering figure in New Zealand’s housing and social policy landscape, recognised for his decades-long commitment to addressing inequality and driving systemic change. As a psychologist, social policy researcher, Anglican priest, and co-founder of the Family Centre Social Policy Research Unit, Charles has led groundbreaking work on housing deprivation, the living wage, and...

In this episode we speak with Community Housing Aotearoa CE - Paul Gilberd - About how changes in the financing landscape can help provide more affordable housing - including recent policy announcements and the new Community Housing Funding Agency. Don’t forget to share and subscribe to the CHA Hub Podcast through your favourite podcast platform. The CHA Hub Podcast is supported by our Founding Pa...