A motel is no place for kids, says a father of two who has been living in one as emergency housing for seven months.
Wayne Reid lives in a one-bedroom unit at the Returned and Services Association in Greerton. His two boys live with him most of the time. The unit has a double and single bed.
He said his children were growing up unable to pop outside and kick a ball around, needing to stay quiet to avoid bothering other residents and confined to the unit when it rains.
It affected the kids' emotions, he said, and they were sometimes frustrated and on edge.
"They ask, why don't we have a backyard, why can't we go play outside?" he said.
He found it difficult to tell them when his countless rental viewings did not go well, and was frustrated by the limitations on their play.
While he was thankful for the roof over their heads and safe, warm beds, he said a motel was "not a place to stay long-term", especially for children. The family wanted to be in their own home.
The motel, managed by Te Tuinga Whanau Support Services as emergency accommodation, had security to keep the residents safe, and signing in and out was mandatory.
While Reid felt safe inside, he said safety was a general concern as there were strangers coming in and out of the public RSA restaurant and there had been incidents of non-residents drinking in the carpark.
Reid is on the sickness benefit and cannot work after being brutally beaten in a drug-related home invasion in 2011.
When the boys wanted to play, Reid took them to the park behind the motel, or made sure he had enough gas to drive them to the skate park or Memorial Park.
The accommodation provider says the situation would be worse if people were living in cars or tents, and the Ministry of Social Development says it has limited options - places to put families are limited but it prioritises a roof over their heads.
Ministry figures released to NZME earlier this year showed the number of children in emergency housing in Tauranga/Western Bay increased from at least 157 in June to at least 169 in September. The numbers could be higher as the Ministry's counting method was not exact.
But Reid is not alone in his concern. An early childhood expert says conditions in emergency housing motels, including limited outdoor play space, could have serious, long-term impacts on kids.
Lesley Lyons McAdam is a former senior lecturer in early childhood education at the University of Auckland, a doctoral graduate of the University of Waikato, and a member of the Western Bay of Plenty Child Poverty Action Group.
Childhood was a crucial time of development, she said, and a lack of space sacrificed a child's developmental, social, cognitive, and educational growth.
"Without space to play and socialise children are less likely to learn to regulate their behaviour which can generate long-term problems such as aggression."
She said nowhere to play led to heightened levels of frustration and stress. Research had shown this was linked to depleting mental and physical wellbeing.
Children then developed an inability to recognise their own potential, attempt challenges, problem solve, be confident in new situations and build quality relationships, she said.
"Such children are more likely to grow into adults who view themselves as victims of society, as people who cannot make change but rather are prey to it."
A Salvation Army spokeswoman said parents in the region were worried about their children's wellbeing and wanted "a safer environment" for kids sometimes exposed to "distressing" situations with other residents in motels.
The organisation leases homes in Tauranga and Rotorua for transitional housing and space for children to play was "often limited".
Tauranga Budget Advisory Kahukura Cody Westworth worked with emergency housing clients and said kids ended up playing in driveways.
"Most motels are on busy roads, which is a real concern," she said.
Te Tuinga Whanau Support Services executive director Tommy Wilson said he would be "much more concerned" about where kids were playing if they were living in cars or tents.
He said there were good parks and facilities near the emergency housing at the RSA and safe houses.
The service had about 150 families in its care and Wilson said caregivers needed to have more will to make time to take their kids to parks.
"There will never be enough facilities, I'm just thankful that we're blessed enough to have those families in safe, warm houses for winter."
In response to Reid's concerns, he said the support service focused on providing a safe, warm, dry whare for families.
"We can't offer a playground. In an ideal world, it would be great. As for security, I'm confident in our security. It's as good as anywhere in Aotearoa."
Whānau Ora North Island agency commissioning chairwoman Merepeka Raukawa-Tait said what was designed to be short-term housing was stretching into months, and children had different needs to adults.
"Children just can't take a short break from cramped living conditions and go for a walk and motels are not set up with adequate playing and recreation spaces," she said.
Ngāi Te Rangi chief executive Paora Stanley said many families did not have good areas for kids to play, including those in private homes.
He said proximity to playgrounds and outdoor play spaces should be considered in emergency housing.
"But on that same token, not everybody has that privilege and advantage ... it's not always possible."
Ministry of Social Development regional director Kim Going said the ministry's most urgent priority was finding somewhere for families to stay and they were limited by the location and features of motels.
"We want to find an immediate option that provides a roof quickly, given families facing homelessness are in a vulnerable position."
When families say they don't feel safe, the agency works with them to find alternatives where possible.
A flexible funding package specifically set up for whānau with children in emergency housing started in November under the Homelessness Action Plan.
The fund could cover additional or increased costs for immediate needs that were due to staying in emergency housing, especially related to keeping kids in education, early childhood education, or to address wellbeing needs.
A Kāinga Ora homes and communities spokesman said the organisation's larger developments typically included shared spaces such as community rooms with kitchens and open-plan gathering spaces and common green spaces with playgrounds
Decisions around amenities also took into account existing nearby facilities, he said.
Tauranga City Council spaces and places director Paul Dunphy said the council aimed to have a neighbourhood reserve - with a playground in most cases - every 500m in the residential zones.
"We want to ensure that all residents have access to open, green spaces."
Western Bay of Plenty District could have fewer councillors to vote for next election.