Lay summary
Pathways to wellbeing for tamariki and their whānau in emergency accommodation during COVID-19. Whānau Māori and Pacific are over-represented in the ‘hidden homeless’, living in motels or severe housing deprivation - with inequitable social, cultural and health impacts. In Kirikiriroa, COVID-19 has resulted in an increased number of tamariki Māori and Pacific in this accommodation, previously described as ‘transitional’. There are concerns about the impact of this environment on immediate and longer-term wellbeing. This research leverages off established community and research partnerships between Kirikiriroa Family Services Trust, K’aute Pasifika, University of Waikato and Waikato DHB to collect narrative (through Kaupapa Māori enquiry and Talanoa) with whānau in motels and severe housing deprivation. Greater understanding of the needs and challenges faced by whānau is required to ensure mitigation strategies are in place to avoid exacerbations of inequities, and support appropriate adaptation of COVID-19 control measures now and the future.