New Zealand’s largest cities have some of the least affordable housing in the world. We now have almost 25,000 households in need of social housing on the register, up from less than 5,000 just five years ago.  This group of people have been mostly affected by rental price increases, squeezing them out of the private rental market. This seminar will look at the role of KiwiSaver funds and investment funds as a potential source of funding to build affordable housing for those most in need.

The panel are all contributing to exciting developments that are set to ramp up private finance and the provision of social housing.

Hope Simonsen, National Housing manager at Emerge Aotearoa, which provides long term social housing and tenancy and property management services for transitional housing for whānau and individuals from Whangarei to Invercargill. Hope is also Co-Chair of the National Science Challenge – Building Better Homes, Towns and Cities Ko ngā wā kainga hei whakamāhorahora and a committee member of the Aotearoa branch of the Australasian Housing Institute.

James Palmer, Chief Executive and founder of Community Finance and Positive Capital. James was previously Chief Executive of Christian Savings, Aotearoa’s only charity that is also a licensed non-bank deposit taker, managing almost $250m. He previously practiced as a commercial lawyer. James is the 2021 INFINZ University of Auckland Business School Emerging Leader.

Sam Goldwater, Lead Portfolio Manager and Executive Director of Generate KiwiSaver. Sam has 24years of financial markets experience, including fixed income sales and trading for the National Bank of New Zealand Treasury, co-manager of bonds at First NZ Capital (now Jarden), and experience in London. Sam co-founded Generate in late 2012.

Shamubeel Eaqub is an economist, author, media commentator and a thought-leading public speaker. He has over a decade of experience as an economist in international banks and consultancies, and is on the boards of charities and commercial firms. He writes books on issues that matter to New Zealand and gives voice to the unheard.

Barry Coates, founder and CEO of Mindful Money will facilitate the panel.

Using your KiwiSaver funds to tackle the housing crisis