housing crisis has cost her whānau their identity
A Ngāpuhi woman who has been priced out of ever owning another home says she feels the housing crisis has resulted in the loss of her identity.
Julia Frelan lost her family home in 2009 after her husband had a stroke, one of her children was hospitalised, and debt from a failed business venture resulted in her declaring bankruptcy.
In the years since, the Auckland woman has been mostly working as a therapy assistant but has never managed to get back on the ladder. She regained her credit rating but watched as house prices moved increasingly beyond reach.
Frelan’s family tree shows her as the great-great-granddaughter of chief Kamariera Te Hautakiri Wharepapa, who famously travelled to England in 1863, met Queen Victoria, and returned with an English bride.
Link to article: Descendant of Māori chiefs says housing crisis has cost her whānau their identity | Stuff.co.nz
