Michael Barnett: Housing has become a terrible Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones is just a fantasy for the most vulnerable members of our society, living on the poverty line.

By Michael Barnett

What happened to the class-less, egalitarian, caring New Zealand where no one cared where you came from and everyone had an even chance of owning their own slice of paradise - indeed was encouraged to do so, and if buying was not an option there was a hand up and when needed a hand out?

Those days of affordable, accessible housing for all, a comfortable standard of living and the opportunity for advancement as a foundation for a healthy, thriving community have been skewered.

Cities need people and people need safe, affordable, healthy homes where they can live, work and play to build sustainable futures, not just for themselves and their families, but the communities that make up our wealthy country.

Instead, we're playing out a horrible Game of Thrones - the reality version in five levels - with yawning gaps of opportunity between each. There's a danger signal flashing. Ignore it at your peril.

A new game plan is needed urgently to avoid the disruptive consequences of accelerating social, employment and housing inequality and disparities.

Where do you belong?

At the top of the pile, we have the property-owning class, those that already had and have a lot. They can leverage low interest rates, tax breaks and secured assets to acquire even more, and are better insulated from economic or personal financial storms. They are comfortable on their throne in their counting house counting out their money to acquire whatever, whenever.

One rung down are those people who did well through the GFC and, like their richer peers, had property or assets.

The investment climate was made for them to take advantage of higher property values to further improve their standard of living. These people can live a life of choice. They will not be checking the price of milk each week.

There's a crush of pretty prosperous, well-paid employees in the middle. They may have been bruised by the fallout from the GFC or simply did not get a foothold on the property ladder before values took off. They are a new tribe who use their means to choose lifestyle and experiences over mortgage slavery.

These people can afford overseas holidays, eating out and avocado smash every day. They are also more likely to be early adopters, urbanites rather than suburbanites, attracted to renting or buying apartments or townhouses in the new higher density, integrated developments that are regenerating communities across Auckland. Opportunity is what they make of it.

But what about the hard-working members of our community on low to middle incomes, the teachers, nurses, drivers and caregivers who keep our cities pumping?

They are descending deeper into the gap where they never have a hope of having a home that's owned. They too are counting out their money, budgeting every cent to survive. How do they have an opportunity to really thrive?

How do they stand up to a landlord when the rent is hiked for a substandard property in a market where demand outstrips supply? Where's the WOF or code of conduct that landlords must comply with if they are to earn money - and take the tax breaks - from a rental?

Where's the helping hand up with rent to buy and social housing options, taking a leaf from the innovative schemes many great cities are implementing to build communities, not just houses?

It's even bleaker for our most vulnerable community members living on the poverty line, in a world of never. Game of Thrones is just a fantasy for them.

It is a fundamental right of every New Zealander to have the opportunity to have access to an affordable, healthy home - and the opportunity to own it. It's time to create a new home ownership paradigm based on a shared vision and values that signal that we are an equal opportunity society with the ways and means to bridge the gaps between haves and have-nots.

Remember we belong to the country and the country belongs to us.

• Michael Barnett is chief executive of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce.