13. Many of the international human rights promises made by New Zealand governments are ethically compelling and they are binding in international law. The right to a decent home is one of the human rights that New Zealand has agreed to implement under binding international law. This human right is well-established in international law. It is not a one-liner – it’s not a bumper-sticker – it has substantive content. Although it is binding on New Zealand in international law, the right to a decent home is almost unknown and invisible in Aotearoa. 14. International law is silent on the socioeconomic system (e.g. private, public or mixed) required for implementation of the right to a decent home.7 This deliberately neutral position is subject to three important conditions. The socio-economic system - or road - chosen: a) must be consistent with human rights and democratic principles b) must reach the destination i.e. it must enhance enjoyment of the right to a decent home, including for the most disadvantaged, such as those living in poverty c) in Aotearoa, the road chosen - and destination - must be consistent with Te Tiriti. 15. In addition to its binding international legal obligations in relation to the right to a decent home, New Zealand has committed to reaching Sustainable Development Goals, including: “By 2020, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services”.8 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 16. Internationally 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.9 But the literature on the right to a decent home in the distinctive context of Aotearoa is extremely limited. 17. 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.10 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.11 14 Human Rights Commission 18. 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, environmental and legal context of Aotearoa. 19. 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 and the crucial importance of ensuring the culture of tangata