Local community development worker and renter Joe Wilson has been documenting the housing crisis reality through his grassroots storytelling project, Lots of Little Fires. He’s been speaking with renters, landlords, and community members in Raglan about what’s really going on, and what he hears is heartbreakingly consistent: people are struggling.
“Renters are working hard and contributing to their community – but barely getting by. Rent takes almost everything, and if you don’t have double, high incomes, family support or inheritance, there’s nothing left to save for a future,” he says.
Additionally, many cannot find homes to rent at the end of a winter lease when the Air BnB season starts. This leaves many renters homeless or having to leave town. “When kids are involved too it’s pretty heartbreaking.”
But despite the crisis, Joe has found hope in the form of ethical landlords – property owners who are doing things differently; who see it is a social responsibility to provide affordable, stable and healthy homes.
“I’ve spoken to about 30 ethical landlords here, all offering lower rents, long-term leases and respectful relationships with their tenants. They don’t care if you’re a single mum, a low-paid worker, or on a benefit – they care that you need a home and will treat it well.”
One landlord told Joe they don’t want to be part of the Airbnb and winter-only lease problem; they want to be part of the solution. While another says all they want is to house local families at affordable rent and for as long as they need.
Local renters have also told Joe about a local property manager who advocates and works hard to find people healthy, affordable homes. “That shouldn’t be rare, but it is. He’s what a property manager should be like,” Joe says.
Owning the situation and what real change could look like
“Nearly half of all property sales in Raglan over the past 20 years have gone to people who already own other homes,” he says. “We have a huge number of landlords and it leaves our renting community vulnerable to how those landlords choose to manage their properties.”
Joe believes lasting solutions around purchasing homes here will require policy change, but for now, he’s focused on what can be changed and Joe believes it lies in the ethics and culture of our landlords.
“I’d like to have a community conversation around what an ‘Ethical Landlord Collective’ in Raglan could look like – property owners who commit to fair rents, long-term leases and treating tenants with dignity – a pioneering standard for Raglan landlords and the wider community.
He knows this is realistic because it’s already happening. “Good landlords are doing this quietly but we need other landlords to think differently and give back to the community they’ve chosen to invest in – there is a real need here.”
Hope, stability, and gratitude
Through his wider work, Joe sees the power of small, ethical actions. “These landlords might not think they’re doing anything extraordinary – but they are. When rent is fair and people feel secure and respected, they can breathe, they can plan, they can live and they feel valued.”
But right now, these landlords are still the exception and Joe wants to change that. “The goal is simple: inspire more landlords to become more ethical.”
A single mum he spoke with summed it up best – “Now that I’m not worried we’ll be kicked out, I can focus on work, save, and be a good mum.”
To those already doing the right thing, Joe says a heartfelt thank you. “You’re not just giving someone a roof. You’re giving them a home and a future.”
Joe sees this as an amazing opportunity for collective good to shine through.
“If Raglan wants to live up to its ‘rootsy and inclusive’ spirit, we need to treat housing as a human right – not just a path to wealth. We need to ask for that, loudly, as both renters and landlords together. The strength of a community is measured by how it treats its most vulnerable. That’s something that takes both personal action and collective responsibility.”
If you are keen to follow Joe’s work visit @lotsoflittlefires on YouTube/insta/Fb. Get in touch with Joe to find out more about the Ethical Landlord Collective at joe@waikatowellbeingproject.com
