 What measures does the government take to ensure that the welfare and best interests of the child are taken into account in decision-making processes regarding benefit sanctions under the Social Security Act 1964? B. Housing 38. Housing is a key determinant of health, educational and social outcomes. Significant concerns remain about the availability of adequate housing. There is a serious undersupply of social housing and the quality of some, largely private, rental properties remains poor – with many of New Zealand’s most vulnerable children living in overcrowded, cold, damp and mouldy houses. 39. Nine hundred and sixty children die per year as a result of overcrowding.22 Sixteen percent of New Zealand children live in a crowded house (defined as households requiring one or more additional bedrooms).23 Māori, Pacific and Asian children are significantly more likely than Eurpoean children to live in a crowded house – 23% of Māori and 50% of Pacific children live in overcrowded households.24 Those from sole parent families are more likely to live in inadequate housing. 40. Māori home ownership rates have declined from 75 % in 1926 to 28.2% in 2013. The consequence of this decline in home ownership was an increase in the number of Māori whānau who became long-term renters, either in the private sector or as Housing New Zealand tenants.25 41. Māori make up 14% of the New Zealand population but comprise:  34.5% of those who live in severe housing deprivation;  34.5% of all Housing NZ tenants (Social housing); and  28.2% of all Accommodation Supplement recipients. 42. In 2013 Pacific home ownership was 18.5%.26 As a result a large number of community housing tenants are Pacific people.27 Pacific people make up approximately 7 % of the population but comprise: 22 http://www.oecd.org/eco/surveys/New-Zealand-2015-overview.pdf http://www.nzchildren.co.nz/#toc_17 24 Ibid. 25 Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, (July, 2014), He Whare Āhuru, he Oranga Tāngata: Māori Housing Strategy 2014-2025, at p 4. Available at: http://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/housingproperty/Māori-housing-strategy/document-image-library/strategy.pdf 26 http://www.stats.govt.nz/Census/2013-census/profile-and-summary-reports/quickstats-about-housing/homeownership-individuals.aspx 27 http://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/infrastructure-growth/pacific-economic-development/documentsimage-library/mbie-pacific-economic-strategy.pdf 23 11