EXECUTIVE SUMMARY participation and democratic engagement already have a place in the country’s housing system, they need strengthening, and the report explores how this can be achieved in the kāwanatanga space. Both accountability and public participation need a way to measure whether the housing situation is improving for everyone in Aotearoa. This report introduces a methodology to measure the progressive realisation of the right to a decent home grounded on Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The methodology, which uses indicators and benchmarks (or data points), will be developed and applied in future initiatives of the Inquiry. Finally, the report provides illustrative case studies from Aotearoa, Canada, Ireland, England, and Scotland on accountability and public participation. Not all the case studies relate to housing and we are not suggesting they are models to be followed. The country needs organisations and institutions that suit the unique context of Aotearoa, align with Te Ao Māori, are co-designed according to Te Tiriti o Waitangi partnership, and deliver the needs of tangata whenua and other disadvantaged groups. The case studies helpfully address human rights themes that recur throughout our report. 4 Human Rights Commission This first report invites consultation and discussion on the following key recommendations: 1. An Act of Parliament which sets out key principles and Tiriti obligations to guide all housing initiatives. 2. An independent constructive accountability mechanism for the housing system. 3. An independent advisory and advocacy group grounded in te Tiriti with responsibilities to: o advise o commission research o draft housing charters/codes o enable the voices of those with lived experience of the housing system. The recommendations will reinforce the direction of travel set out in GPS-HUD and MAIHI Ka Ora, and assist the effective implementation of these important documents. Moreover, they are mandated by the right to a decent home grounded on Te Tiriti o Waitangi.