Tama Potaka
Tama Potaka is the Associate Housing Minister of New Zealand, known for his commitment to addressing the homelessness crisis in the country. He recently celebrated the government's achievement in reducing the number of households in emergency housing motels by 75%, highlighting the failures of past policies that left many New Zealanders in prolonged motel accommodations. Potaka advocates for permanent housing solutions and criticizes the tightening of emergency housing access, which he believes contributes to rising street homelessness.
Not in the pool (under ¢1).
Recent news mentions
Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka said the Government was investing in te reo Māori by strengthening Māori broadcasting.
Budget 2026: RNZ and NZ on Air funding cut, boost for domestic screen production rebate and Māori broadcasting – Media Insider
New Zealand· 2026-05-28
Tama Potaka announced plans to campaign on environmental issues at the Bluegreens forum.
Danyl McLauchlan: Can Opportunity provide a real alternative for voters?New Zealand· 2026-03-02
Tama Potaka acknowledged the important role Whakaata Māori played in promoting te reo Māori.
Cross-party MPs urge Government to increase Whakaata Māori fundingNew Zealand· 2026-02-27
Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka said the 1700 pet bonds already lodged showed 'the reform is working as intended and helping renters access homes that may previously have been off-limits.'
Pet bonds not a ‘true safeguard for tenants’, renting advocates sayNew Zealand· 2026-02-10
Cabinet minister Tama Potaka attended the dinner.
How women are leading the push to grow the $126b Maori economy – Fran O’SullivanNew Zealand· 2026-02-06
Government Minister Tama Potaka gave Peeni Henare a suggestion for his next move after politics.
Waitangi 2026: Te Pāti Māori apologises, calls for new hui with Ngāpuhi as fractures continue to showNew Zealand· 2026-02-05
Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka was urged to review transport funding allocations.
Waitangi 2026: How a dusty Gerry Brownlee led to a road to Waitangi being sealedNew Zealand· 2026-02-03
Māori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka said the report showed encouraging progress but 'there was still work to do' to improve the Crown’s Treaty relationships.
Iwi forced into legal action over Treaty settlements to make Crown uphold commitments – reportNew Zealand· 2025-12-19
Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka said he was proud of the Government’s work to move people out of 'dank and dark' emergency housing motels.
One of NZ’s largest emergency housing providers sells up $6m in Auckland motels as Government grants dipNew Zealand· 2025-11-30
The conservation minister, Tama Potaka, announced the addition of feral cats to the world-leading Predator-Free 2050 strategy.
‘Stone-cold killers’: New Zealand to eradicate feral cats by 2050 | New Zealand
United Kingdom· 2025-11-24
Four more National MPs follow Parmar: Nicola Willis, Andrew Bayly, Simon Watts and Tama Potaka.
MP property rich list: Our MPs have stakes in a combined $379 million of property - who owns the most?New Zealand· 2025-11-23
Tama Potaka is one of the ministers participating in Movember.
Target on Chris Bishop’s back as National’s poll slide continues; Labour set for big selection weekend – Audrey YoungNew Zealand· 2025-11-20
Tama Potaka is the minister overseeing the emergency housing system in New Zealand.
Labour criticises Tama Potaka as new data shows a majority of emergency housing applications in urban Auckland are being declinedNew Zealand· 2025-11-18
Tama Potaka is a housing and social sector minister attending meetings on public disorder.
‘Move-on’ orders for homeless come as public disorder hits 10-year lowNew Zealand· 2025-11-18
Conservation Minister Tama Potaka is travelling to the Central Plateau Emergency Management Centre to support response efforts.
Tongariro National Park wildfire: Evacuations begin as blaze spreads to cover 1600 hectaresNew Zealand· 2025-11-09
Hamilton West MP Tama Potaka said it would help advance this project toward construction.
Canterbury police seek public help to find wanted man Ross HuntNew Zealand· 2025-10-24
Hamilton West MP Tama Potaka said the funding would help advance the project toward construction.
Measles patient zero found on Cook Strait ferry sailingNew Zealand· 2025-10-24
Hamilton West MP Tama Potaka said it would help advance this project toward construction.
Stabbing near Hamilton’s Fraser High School: Mother appeals for information on social mediaNew Zealand· 2025-10-24
In July, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka announced 189 new builds for Rotorua, including up to 150 social houses and 39 affordable rental homes.
Government to deliver 300 more social homes in Tauranga, Te Puke and RotoruaNew Zealand· 2025-10-19
Robinson urged ministers Chris Bishop and Tama Potaka to change the emergency housing criteria.
Auckland CBD poll: 97% of Herald readers say city centre feels unsafeNew Zealand· 2025-10-13
Tama Potaka is mentioned as a minister urged to change emergency housing criteria.
Wayne Brown, Viv Beck and the art of complaining: Simon WilsonNew Zealand· 2025-10-08
Environment Minister Tama Potaka said the bill had ushered in a bold new era of marine protection for one of the country’s most majestic seascapes.
Parliament passes Hauraki Gulf protection law after late fishing exemptionNew Zealand· 2025-10-07
Housing Minister Tama Potaka said Smith’s situation highlighted the urgent need for homes suitable for people with disabilities.
Hamilton woman with cerebral palsy lives in campervan with three dogsNew Zealand· 2025-10-06
Robinson urged ministers Chris Bishop and Tama Potaka to change the emergency housing criteria.
Heart of the City survey: Auckland business owners slate CBD as lawless, unclean, hit out at drug use, beggingNew Zealand· 2025-10-05Tama Potaka received a performance rating of 2.85/5 for his role in Māori Crown Relations.
Nicola Willis singles out Sir John Key in Mood of the Boardroom speechNew Zealand· 2025-09-24
Tama Potaka, a National MP and Minister for Māori Development, said it was important audiences 'get to understand what is being said and what’s being communicated'.
Labour MP Shanan Halbert accuses Te Pāti Māori of starting to create ‘exclusive bunch of Māori’New Zealand· 2025-09-16
Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka is responsible for the crown’s reo strategy and advocates for the revitalisation of te reo Māori.
Talkin’ bout te reo-lution: The revitalisation of a language once on the brink of extinctionNew Zealand· 2025-09-15
Associate Minister Tama Potaka is involved in the government's homelessness funding initiative.
Napier night shelter expects to chase new Government homelessness fundingNew Zealand· 2025-09-06
Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka emphasizes the importance of firm but fair requirements for emergency housing.
Homeless plans: Housing Minister Chris Bishop outlines ‘actions to support’ rough sleepersNew Zealand· 2025-09-05
Tama Potaka is the Associate Housing Minister who discussed the responsibilities of parents in relation to emergency housing.
Emergency housing grants plummet, more homeless turned away under new hard line policyNew Zealand· 2025-08-31
