In this final report of the Housing Inquiry, the New Zealand Human Rights Commission offers specific and practical guidance for different sets of stakeholders: policy-makers, and individuals, communities and housing advocates. Each of the chapters can be read as stand-alone guidance, and each is acknowledged to be a work in progress – they will be revised and improved by policy-makers and practitioners in light of experience.

Chapter 2 provides guidance for policy-makers in embedding human rights throughout the policy development cycle. It is intended to help policy makers introduce a human rights lens early in the policy cycle and, in this way, reinforce their design and delivery of effective, evidence-informed, equitable policy objectives.

Chapter 3 is designed to be accessible and relevant to members of the public, community groups and organisations who seek to advocate for the right to a decent home. It provides a clear explanation on how international human rights tools, in combination with te Tiriti o Waitangi, can be used in advocacy in the housing context. It is directed at those who would like to explore how to use a human rights approach to challenge poor housing conditions.

In Appendix C, the Commission has included a toolkit with further resources to help people understand the right to a decent home, support and strengthen housing advocacy, and guide housing providers and developers on how the human right can be upheld in their work.