Guideline 3: Agreed by successive New Zealand governments, the right to a decent home is ethically compelling and binding on New Zealand in international law. This human right does not favour one particular socio-economic system, but it requires that the selected system is consistent with human rights and democratic principles, enhances enjoyment of the right to a decent home, and honours Te Tiriti. The unique context of Aotearoa 14. Across the world, there are thousands of books, articles, reports and guidance on what the right to a decent home means and how to apply it in practice. But the literature on the right to a decent home in the distinctive context of Aotearoa is extremely limited. 15. Many countries have placed the right to a decent home in their national law and this has led to law cases which clarify what the human right means. But New Zealand has not placed the right to a decent home in its national law and so there are no law cases in Aotearoa to throw light on the meaning of this human right. 16. Although the existing international literature, as well as law cases decided in other countries, provide useful guidance on what the right to a decent home means, we must consider and apply this human right within the unique historical, demographic, economic, social, cultural and legal context of Aotearoa. Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the imperative of ensuring the culture of tangata whenua, the uniquely indigenous people of Aotearoa, is recognised and flourishes; 17. These Guidelines outline what the right to a decent home means in the unique context of Aotearoa. This context includes: the systematic dispossession of Māori land and the ongoing impacts of colonisation; Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the crucial importance of ensuring the culture of tangata whenua, the uniquely indigenous people of Aotearoa, is recognised and flourishes; the need for a dynamic inclusive multiculturalism grounded on Te Tiriti; respect (manaakitanga) and human rights for all. This unique context is outlined in the following paragraphs. Guideline 4: The international right to a decent home must be located and applied within the unique historical, demographic, economic, social, cultural and legal context of Aotearoa. 9