New Zealand: Te Ohu Tāmaki 2025 First Half Highlights

2025 has been a year of accountability and action, and Te Ohu Tāmaki turned two years

old since Founding in 2023. It was a year that came with listening, actions, council

meetings, internal organising, community meetings, and a very big win. Let’s take a look

back at some highlights of what your alliance has achieved in 2025.

FEB-MAY: Housing Accountability Actions

After securing commitments to social housing in 2023, and meeting with the minister in

2024, in early 2025 we received information that the commitment we received for 1000

new public houses a year in Auckland was being broken for the 2025/26 period. After

some targeted media actions, led by Te Ohu Representatives, the Government quietly added

550 new public houses to its programme in Auckland for 2025/26. As of December 2025, we have heard this number was increased to 650. Awesome!

APR: Revive Rathgar Local Meetings

In April, the Revive Rathgar project kicked off as part of organisational development and exploration in West Auckland, supported by Zeo working with Community Waitakere and a range of local institutions. Local meetings, table talks, relational meetings, and planning meetings were held. A power analysis and discernment was undertaken.

MAY: Initial Decent Work in Health and Care Table Talks

E tū and NZNO kicked off the Decent Work in Health and Care Listening Campaign with internal table talks with their members, E tū with 51 care and support workers, and NZNO with 80 regional delegates and members. The focus was on establishing worker support to launch the listening campaign, and identifying potential worker leaders who could lead on the project.

MAY: Local Wages and Houses Research Action

Also in May, as part of the 5-day training, we heard a local Wages and Houses Research Action with Cr Julie Fairey. 100 Te Ohu Tāmaki representatives were in attendance, as we tested the political possibility of the policy asks developed through our housing listening

campaign, and by the Living Wage Local Board. It was an excellent opportunity for new leaders and trainees to shine, and also to receive a strong commitment and good feedback from Cr Fairey as well. People power!

JUL: Māngere Decent Work in Health and Care Table Talk

In July, care and support workers from Māngere and the surrounding communities participated in a table talk led by E tū and supported by NZNO and the PSA. 54 workers showed up, shared stories, and made commitments to taking further action and reaching out to their fellow worksite members, and the wider community.

For more information and updated events, see their website: https://www.teohu.community/