What is the right to a decent home in Aotearoa? The right to a decent home, also referred to as the right to adequate housing in international law, is a fundamental human right. It establishes that everyone has the right to safe, secure, habitable, and affordable housing.39 It extends beyond mere shelter and acknowledges housing as a crucial component of a dignified life. A human rights-based approach empowers individuals, whānau, and communities to understand and assert their rights while fostering accountability among responsible individuals and institutions. To fully exercise this right, it is important to understand its meaning and scope. The right to a decent home encompasses more than just a physical dwelling – it encompasses the broader housing system, including laws, strategies, policies, and all other housing-related initiatives. Where does the right to a decent home come from? The right to a decent home is recognised in various international human rights declarations and treaties. These agreements, which countries can sign to demonstrate their commitment, include: • the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights – these documents, along with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, are together known as the International Bill of Human Rights • the Convention on the Rights of the Child • the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities • the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Rights,40 which outline the expectations for businesses to respect human rights and avoid any adverse impacts on individuals or communities. It is crucial for the New Zealand Government to ensure that the private sector upholds these principles and actively supports the realisation of the right to a decent home. Over the past 50 years, successive governments in New Zealand have actively participated in shaping these human rights agreements and have made commitments to implement the rights they enshrine. As a result, they have a legal obligation to ensure that the right to a decent home is realised here in Aotearoa. The private sector also has a responsibility in respecting and contributing to the achievement of the right to a decent home for everyone. This responsibility is guided by the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human 3. Understanding and asserting your right to a decent home 27