When we talk about human rights, making things better over time is called “progressive realisation”. It would be unrealistic to expect governments to realise social rights like the right to a decent home overnight. But progressive realisation does mean that things should get better over time – not just generally, but for everyone.

In our Guildelines to the right to a decent home grounded on Te Tiriti o Waitangi we identified the need to measure the progressive realisation of the right to a decent home. This is important to being able to hold those responsible for ensuring the right to a decent home accountable. As part of our Housing Inquiry, the Human Rights Commission has developed a new tool called Measuring Progress. Measuring Progress uses a selection of indicators to measure progress in relation to the right to a decent home, which must be grounded on Te Tiriti o Waitangi in Aotearoa. We are measuring progress across seven ‘decency’ principles outlined by the United Nations. 

Decency principles:
1. An affordable home
2. A habitable home
3. An accessible home
4. Security of tenure
5. Located near schools, employment and healthcare
6. Provides access to key services
7. Culturally adequate

Measuring progress on these decency principles will tell us whether the right to a decent home grounded on Te Tiriti o Waitangi is being respected or not.

Click the illustrations below to read a commentary about our seven principles, one of the main features of the right to a decent home.