Around one million Kiwis are affected by respiratory conditions, and evidence consistently points to housing quality as a critical factor in developing or worsening these conditions, especially for children and older people.
Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ Chief Executive Letitia Harding says poor housing conditions remain a significant driver of respiratory-related hospitalisations — and an ongoing challenge for clinicians.
“It can be frustrating for health professionals when patients are treated, only to be put right back into the environment that worsened the illness in the first place,” she says.
“This is particularly concerning in lower socio-economic communities, where the burden of unhealthy housing is often greatest.
“We continue to urge the Government to prioritise this issue — it needs urgent attention.”
A new partnership between the Foundation and Classic Builders aims to help raise awareness of how healthier homes can improve this issue.
Classic Builders joined the Foundation as a Gold partner, supporting efforts to increase understanding of how better housing can positively impact health outcomes.
Classic Builders Managing Director Mr Matt Lagerberg says the partnership is a natural fit.
“Warm, dry homes aren’t just about comfort, they play an important role in the health and well-being of the people living in them.
“We see firsthand the difference a well-built home can make for families, and this partnership allows us to support the Foundation in raising awareness of that across New Zealand.”
The goal is to contribute to a broader understanding of how housing quality impacts everyday health, Mr Lagerberg says.
“This isn’t about promoting building — it’s about helping people understand what makes a home healthier, and why that matters.”
Ms Harding says raising awareness is key to helping people make informed choices about their homes.
“People often don’t connect their living environment with their health,” she says.
“But small improvements to warmth, ventilation and dryness can make a meaningful difference over time.”
