Council and Staff
Community Housing Aotearoa (CHA) is governed by an elected Council of up to nine members. Elections take place during the Annual General Meeting.
CHA has a team of nine staff based in Auckland and Wellington.
CHA Council
Hope Simonsen
Co-Chair
Hope has spent the past 16 years in the housing sector. Her housing journey began with Housing New Zealand in 2005 when the agency received crown funding to build community housing providers and grow community housing supply. A number of organisations were established as housing providers as a result of this funding. After seven years, she moved to work as a property consultant in the commercial sector with The Property Group and then worked for Community Housing Aotearoa for a year.
She now leads Emerge Aotearoa’s Housing Trust, which provides long-term social housing and tenancy and property management services for transitional housing for whānau and individuals from Whangārei to Invercargill.
Hope is also Co-Chair (Tangata Tiriti) of the National Science Challenge – Building Better Homes, Towns and Cities.
Nic Greene
Co-Chair
Nic joined the RNZAF in 1989 where he spent 12 years conducting maritime surveillance in the Pacific and wider afield. Commissioned as an officer in 1995, Nic underwent significant management and leadership training. During his military career he has enjoyed several leadership roles including that of Senior Electronics Instructor at the School of Air Navigation, RAAF Base East Sale and Air Electronics Training Officer on No 5 (Maritime) Squadron RNZAF.
In addition to the military, Nic has also been a small business owner, a software developer, a wedding photographer and the Business Development Manager at Wintec, one of New Zealand’s largest polytechnics. In 2008, he participated in a Wintec build team to Vietnam as part of the Habitat for Humanity Global Village program. Nic was inspired by the difference we can each make to the vulnerable in our world.
Nic was appointed to the role of General Manager, Habitat for Humanity (Central North Island) in 2009. He is responsible for the direction of New Zealand’s largest and most diverse Habitat affiliate. He oversees the delivery of progressive home ownership housing, a home repair programme, a rental portfolio with a particular emphasis on housing for the elderly, and a chain of ReStore second hand shops.
Cate Kearney
Treasurer
Cate is the Chief Executive of Ōtautahi Community Housing Trust, the South Island’s largest community housing provider. She has worked as a practitioner and leader in community housing, mental health and addiction services for 25 years, with organisations spanning the public and non-profit sectors and in management and governance roles with regional and national reach. Cate’s move to community housing fulfilled her personal interest in housing and the belief that adequate housing for all is the cornerstone of well-being and economic stability.
Before joining the housing sector, Cate was a keen follower of house design, green technologies and the ways in which architecture and urban design help build communities where individuals thrive. Cate has previously led and served on several non-governmental organisation boards and committees, including co-chair of the National Committee of Addictions Treatment and a Trustee of Partnership Health Primary Health Organisation, Kina Trust and Te Korowai Youth Health Trust. Cate lives in Christchurch.
Ali Hamlin-Paenga
Council Member
Ali is the Chairperson of Te Matapihi he tirohanga mō te Iwi Trust, and is the Trust’s appointee to CHA’s
Council. Ali has extensive business and leadership experience in the social service sector, social housing and business innovation and strategy, and has held various senior management roles most recently as Kaihautū – CEO of Ngāti Kahungunu Community Services, a kaupapa Māori organisation providing housing solutions and social support services across the wider Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington) region.
Lisa Woolley
Council Member
Lisa is the CEO of VisionWest Community Trust, one of the country’s largest community services providers, which serves over 50,000 people each year through more than 1,600 employees and volunteers. Lisa joined VisionWest in 1998 and became the CEO in 2001. She has completed the New Zealand Leadership Programme in 2020, the Graduate Diploma in Not-for-Profit Management at Unitec as well as a Master’s in Social Practice. Her thesis on Supportive Housing in New Zealand has been recognised for leadership with awards locally and internationally.
Lisa is a recognised expert of social issues and champion for social justice within New Zealand. With more than 20 years of experience as an advocate, volunteer, policy advisor, commentator, leader, and CEO, she is passionate about community development and addressing social issues such as poverty, marginalisation, unemployment and homelessness. Lisa is part of the Housing First Collective for Auckland, an advisor to the Baptist National Leader and is involved in the MSD Housing Reference group. In June 2020, Lisa was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, for her services to the community and governance.
Neil Porteous
Council Member
Neil is the General Manager Housing of Tāmaki Regeneration Company, in Auckland. Neil worked at Vodafone NZ for 10 years in a variety of roles, culminating in his appointment as Director of Human Resources. He was the CEO of the Child Cancer Foundation for two years. A strong proponent of diversity in the workplace, Neil is a trustee of the Equal Employment Opportunity Trust.
Fiona Hamilton
Council Member
Fiona is the Chief Executive of LinkPeople, a national community housing provider that manages over 700 properties and supports more than 3000 people to access housing, wellbeing support and to sustain their tenancies each year. Fiona has over 20 years’ experience in research, project and programme management and leadership across a range of sectors including the Waitangi Tribunal claim process, finance and advertising industries, mental health workforce development, housing and homelessness services.
In 2017 she moved into the housing and homelessness space as programme lead at Housing First Auckland, and led the development of the governance group for the Auckland Housing First collective alongside the Auckland Mayor, Council, mana whenua, Ministries and departments such as Housing, Social Development, Health and Corrections.
Patrick Kay
Council Member
Patrick is the General Manager of Trust House, Wairarapa. He has worked in Community/Social Housing in New Zealand for around 10 years since emigrating from the UK. Patrick has been fortunate enough to have gained valuable insight across a wide spectrum of community housing including debt recovery, maintenance management, Tenancy Tribunals and project management of new builds.
Patrick’s work with Māori and Pacific, the elderly, long-term homeless, and people living with mental health challenges, has given him an understanding of the challenges and opportunities that we are faced with and the positive impact that the provisions of quality Community Housing can have on people’s lives.
CHA Team
Paul Gilberd
CEO
Paul is an experienced, values-driven, professional with a successful domestic and international career in public and private sectors and with local governments. He brings expertise in business development, strategic planning and organisational change. Most recently he held senior management roles at Community Finance, Positive Capital and the New Zealand Housing Foundation. With his long-standing experience in community housing, and its finance, he has worked alongside Māori, church, commercial and community groups.
Paul believes in the significant contribution, and distinctive value, delivered by the Community Housing sector. Paul is widely networked within the New Zealand housing system and brings a passion for collective impact and unlocking the power of working better together.
Chris Glaudel
Deputy CEO
Chris brings over 25 years’ experience in community development with core skills in housing finance, housing development, asset management, and policy. He has overseen the development of more than 1,500 affordable ownership and rental homes in central California. He was also responsible for the asset management of 115 properties throughout California with over 5,000 units, all serving low-income households. A particular emphasis of his housing work has been with social service organisations to provide housing opportunities for persons experiencing homelessness and/or serious mental illness. Chris relocated to Wellington with his family in January 2012 and joined CHA in November 2013. Phone 027 462 0605
David Zussman
Manager Engagement and Support
David has experience of social housing in both the UK and New Zealand. His previous roles in New Zealand include tenancy manager with HNZC, community development manager for the Talbot Park Community Renewal project and, for the last 10 years, he has been the trust executive for emergency and community housing provider, Monte Cecilia Housing Trust. Phone 027 349 0461
Amanda Kelly
Policy and Practice Manager
Amanda is originally from Ireland and has been living in Tāmaki Makaurau for almost 14 years. She has previously worked in Local Government and non-Government organisations in community development and health promotion roles including supporting the operational response to homelessness at Auckland Council. Amanda is passionate about working in a joined-up way and improving systems and tools that enable better decision making and outcomes for communities. Phone 021 046 7011.
Peter Stowers
Pacific Relationship Manager
Petelo, known as Peter, was born and raised in Samoa and lives with his wife and three daughters in Mangere. His parents are from Lano village, on the island of Savai’i, where Peter holds a high chief title ‘Vuiseigafolava’. Peter joined CHA in August 2022 and has a lot of experience in community development and funding from many years of working at Inland Revenue, Department of internal Affairs, and Foundation North. Peter has extensive experience working with Pacific communities in Aotearoa from start up to being sustainable.
Peter is an accountant with experience in businesses, charities and not-for-profit organisations. Peter is not new to the community housing sector and is highly motivated to use his experience to support the growth of a thriving Pacific Community Housing sector in Aotearoa.
Talavao Ngata
Pacific Policy Advisor
Talavao is of Tongan and Samoan descent from the villages of Kolovai, Tongatapu and Letogo, Upolu on her mother’s side and Lotofoa, Ha’apai on her father’s side. Born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau, she lives in South Auckland and understands the need for better housing solutions. Talavao comes to CHA with experience in policy development and local community innovation. Her background is in social sciences and human rights. Talavao is new to the community housing sector and is highly motivated to see the Pacific housing space grow and strengthen into the present and future.
Wendy Marr
Communications Manager
(Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa, Ngāpuhi)
Wendy first joined CHA in 2021 and has recently returned having spent the past year working in her family business. Originally from Whangārei, Wendy has lived in Wellington for over 25 years and is the proud mother of two adult children. She has worked in the public, private and community sectors and brings with her extensive communications, media relations and marketing experience.
Wendy manages all media enquiries and can be contacted on 021 0225 4179.
Ruth Avery
Executive Administrator
Ruth has returned on a part-time basis and is here until the end of June. Ruth has 39 years’ work experience over a variety of roles, so is a generalist. Her proofreading diploma will be put to good use while at CHA.
Contact Us
Level 11, Ranchhod Tower
39 The Terrace/102-112 Lambton Quay
PO Box 11543
Wellington 6142
04 385 8722
Annual Report
2021/22 CHA Annual Report
Strategic Plan
CHA’s 2022-2023 Strategic Workplan
Case Studies
Monte Cecilia Case Study: Mind-shift essential in re-setting New Zealand’s housing system
Case Study_Monte Cecilia_FINAL
Salvation Army Case Study
CHA_CaseStudy_Salvation Army.pdf
CORT – another example of community housing in your community
CORT CEO Peter Jeffries and tenant Carla Vauvale Forty-three families, who had been on the housing emergency waiting list, are moving into new rental properties this December. These homes were built by non-profit group CORT Community Housing in Papakura, Auckland....
Media Releases
Community Housing Aotearoa-Ngā Wharerau o Aotearoa backs Retirement Commission’s call for affordable housing, calls for Inclusionary Housing to be included in RMA reforms
The report from the Retirement Commissioner today highlights the importance of using the current RMA reforms to provide a nationally-agreed framework for inclusionary housing says Community Housing Aotearoa-Ngā Wharerau o Aotearoa CEO Vic Crockford. The Retirement...
Community Housing Aotearoa-Ngā Wharerau o Aotearoa welcomes new housing regulations and looks forward to providing further input
Today’s announcements from Minister of Housing Dr Megan Woods is a welcome progression on these important measures that Community Housing Aotearoa (CHA) has been providing input on for many years. The measures, which include regulation of residential property...
New Development Another Sign That Community Housing Sector Is A Critical Piece To Solving The Housing Puzzle
Community Housing Aotearoa chief executive Vic Crockford wants to applaud CORT Community Housing as it celebrates the opening of the first development of its pipeline of 104 decent, affordable homes in Auckland. “This new housing development, built in partnership with...
Community Housing Aotearoa welcomes further detail on Affordable Housing Fund
Community Housing Aotearoa welcomes the announcement of the Affordable Housing Fund, which will provide much needed capital grants to community housing providers. Community Housing Aotearoa Chief Executive, Vic Crockford says that we need to double down on our efforts...
Organisations Combine To Implore Government To MindTheGap To Help Reduce Poverty
A group of forty New Zealand unions, charities and community groups have joined together to implore Government to change legislation to address New Zealands gender and ethnic pay gaps immediately and help reduce poverty, including Community Housing Aotearoa. Click...
News
Did National really just simply sell off state houses? / The SpinOff
New Zealand has a massive deficit in state housing, but is that all National’s fault? Max Rashbrooke runs the numbers. It has become a truth universally acknowledged, at least on the left, that the last time National was in power, its only interest in state houses lay...
1000 new state homes in Auckland every year is a ‘stretch’, but doable
The country's builders and community housing providers say they are up to the task of fulfilling a rare moment of consensus by Labour, National and the Greens - all pledging to build 1000 state homes a year in Auckland if elected. National deputy leader Nicola Willis,...
Right At Home podcast – Episode 5: Using innovation to build a sustainable future for housing with Rohan Bush
Vic Crockford is joined by Rohan Bush, Director of Building Sustainability, Innovation, and Standards at Kāinga Ora in our fifth podcast episode. Rohan is responsible for the standards to which Kāinga Ora order's public housing is built and for adopting more...
Right At Home podcast – Episode 4: Inclusionary Housing – an affordable housing planning tool
The demand for housing has outstripped supply for many years in Aotearoa, New Zealand. While successive governments have attempted to address the housing shortage, it remains a significant challenge. Overseas and local experience has taught us that opening up land for...
Right At Home podcast – Episode 3: The Case for Universally Designed Housing with Disability Advocate Erin Gough (transcript included)
(Click here for the transcript: EP- 3 The Case for Universally Designed Housing with Disability Advocate Erin Gough transcript) Access to a decent home is a human right. It’s one of the principles in the International Bill of Rights on the Rights of Persons with...
Newsletters
Community Housing Aotearoa (CHA) Monthly Newsletter – 6 May 2024
Community Housing Aotearoa (CHA) Monthly Newsletter - 6 May 2024
Community Housing Aotearoa (CHA) – Monthly Newsletter 4 April 2024
Community Housing Aotearoa (CHA) - Monthly Newsletter 4 April 2024
Community Housing Aotearoa (CHA) – Monthly Newsletter 5 March 2024
Community Housing Aotearoa (CHA) – Newsletter 5 March 2024
Community Housing Aotearoa (CHA) – Monthly Newsletter 13 February 2024
Community Housing Aotearoa (CHA) - Monthly Newsletter 13 February 2024
Community Housing Aotearoa (CHA) – Monthly Newsletter 15 January 2024
Community Housing Aotearoa (CHA) Newsletter 15 January 2024
Submissions
CHA’s Submission on RBNZ DTI & LVR Restrictions
CHA's Submission on the RBNZ's DTI & LVR Restriction
CHA, ACHPN & ATHPN’s Submission to Auckland Council Long-Term Plan 2024-2034
CHA, ACHPN & ATHPN - Submission to Auckland Council Long-Term Plan 2024-2034
CHA’S Briefing to the Incoming Minister of Housing – 2023
CHA'S Briefing to the Incoming Minister of Housing - 2023
CHA’s Submission on Auckland Council Annual Budget 2023-2024
Click here to view the submission.
CHA’s Submission on the Regulation of Methamphetamine Contamination in Residential Housing
CHA drafted a submission on Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga - Ministry of Housing and Urban Development's Regulation of Methamphetamine Contamination in Residential Housing. Our submission reflected the feedback from providers following a webinar on 22/03/23. Read the full...
Legislation
Community Housing Regulatory Authority – Board Minutes Article
Community Housing Regulatory Authority - Board Minutes Article
Residential Tenancy Act (RTA) and Tenancy Management Community of Practice Summary
RTA COP May 2021 summary.pdf
Bright-line test proposed changes
Bright-line test proposed changes.pdf
Interest deductions on residential property income proposed changes
Interest deductions on residential property income proposed changes.pdf
RMA Replacement 10 February 2021 FINAL
RMA Replacement 10 February 2021 FINAL.pdf
Reports
Affordable Housing: Enabling Territorial Authorities Act of 2008
Affordable Housing Enabling Territorial Authorities Act FINAL
Is there a place for affordable housing planning requirements in NZ?
IS THERE A PLACE FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PLANNNG REQUIREMENTS IN NEW ZEALAND - Final
CHA 2023 Annual Report and Audited Accounts
CHA_AnnualReport23_Digital
Audited CHA Consolidated Performance Report – 30 June 2023
Audited CHA Consolidated Performance Report - 30 June 2023
CHA 2022 Annual Report and Audited Accounts
What a year for our Community Housing Aotearoa Ngā Wharerau o Aotearoa team. Our Annual Report highlights our service delivery, including: - 16 submissions to central and local government. - 30 trainings and events delivered on topics ranging from public health...
Research
Alternative Housing Tenures – The Opportunity for New Zealand: Research Update 7 System Enablers
Livingston and Associates Ltd (in conjunction with Chris Glaudel from Community Housing Solutions, James Berghan from Otago University and Daniel du Plessis from BRANZ) are currently working on a research project investigating the enablers and barriers impacting on...
Alternative Housing Tenures – The Opportunity for New Zealand: Research Update 6 System Analysis
System Analysis Livingston and Associates Ltd (in conjunction with Chris Glaudel from Community Housing Solutions, James Berghan from Otago University and Daniel Du Plessis from BRANZ) are currently working on a research project investigating the enablers and...
Alternative Housing Tenures – The Opportunity for New Zealand: Research Update 5 Māori Experience
Māori Experiences Livingston and Associates Ltd (in conjunction with Chris Glaudel from Community Housing Solutions, James Berghan from Otago University and Daniel Du Plessis from BRANZ) are currently working on a research project investigating the enablers and...
Alternative Housing Tenures – The Opportunity for New Zealand: Research Update 4 Enablers and Barriers for Affordable Housing
Alternative affordable housing tenure enablers and barriers in a NZ context. Livingston and Associates Ltd (in conjunction with Chris Glaudel from Community Housing Solutions, James Berghan from Otago University and Daniel Du Plessis from BRANZ) are currently working...
Alternative Housing Tenures – The Opportunity for New Zealand: Research Update 3 Renter Housing and Unmet Need
Livingston and Associates Ltd. have been conducting research funded by the Building Research Levy on the opportunity of alternative housing tenures for New Zealand. Research Update 3 titled "Renter Housing Need and Unmet Need" examines the number of households...
Community Housing Aotearoa
Contact Us
Contact Info
Level 11, Ranchhod Tower,
39 The Terrace /
102-112 Lambton Quay
PO Box 11543
Wellington 6142
+04 385 8722