20 years of Community Housing Aotearoa (2004-2024)

New Zealand's peak housing body, Community Housing Aotearoa (CHA) celebrates 20 years of service to the sector. Stephen Olsen shares us into his timeline of turning points––the significant moments of this enduring organisation.

In its two decades of operating as a banner organisation for New Zealand's ‘third sector’ of housing, Community Housing Aotearoa (CHA) has successfully arisen from, navigated and survived across a tangled web of political interventions and public sector policy settings. 


To mark its 20th year of operation, a timeline that represents these key markers can be accessed at CHAhistory.blog 


Establishing a recent historical context for community housing in New Zealand would not, and could not, be the same without the lens provided by CHA. 

It was fitting then that some time was taken at the 2024 CHA Conference to reflect on the unique place occupied by CHA as a gathering point for practitioners and supporters of community housing and its conduit role as a ‘public voice’ for community housing. 


As expressed by the current leadership of CHA – Chief Executive Paul Gilberd and longstanding Deputy Chris Glaudel – efforts being taken to retrace the story of CHA, and to offer gratitude to past staff and CHA Council members for the part they have played, are an important recognition of the past, present and future of CHA.


It’s a history that presents the prospect of unlocking a deeper understanding of what it will take to ensure future generations are well-housed, as already exhibited through many existing developments and projects. 


Download the timeline below or read more about 20 Years of CHA at their blog

Click to download CHA Timeline (PDF)
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