The death of a south Auckland toddler from a respiratory illness linked to her damp, cold house has led to renewed calls to improve the state of our homes.
Greens Party co-leader Metiria Turei says the tragic death of Emma-Lita Bourne, 2, is a call to action.
"This shows what can happen if we continue to do nothing about the cold, damp and shoddy homes many Kiwis are forced to live in."
She said the Government urgently needed to introduce a warrant of fitness for all dwellings, starting with state houses.
"No New Zealander should be living in a house that makes them sick."
A coroner's report, released yesterday, ruled Emma-Lita's death in the Starship hospital on August 8 last year was due to an acute brain bleed related to bronchopneumonia.
Coroner Brandt Shortland linked the illness to her house, which had no carpets, was very cold, did not get much sunlight and had a leak in the hallway ceiling.
However, Housing Minister Nick Smith rejected the Greens' suggestion as unrealistic.
A spokeswoman for the minister said this would designate as "unliveable" the 100,000 homes that could not be insulated as required under the proposal.
"Removing 100,000 homes from supply would have a huge impact on overcrowding, rents and the already challenging issues over ensuring enough homes are available."
Starship paediatrician Dr Cameron Grant said NZ houses were still not up to scratch compared to those in the Northern Hemisphere.
"We live in a country where building standards are low and our homes are not robust."
He said this all had an impact on a child's health.
"The risk of getting pneumonia increases two to three times if living in a cold and damp house."
He said while Emma-Lita died from an extremely rare complication of pneumonia, she might not have become sick if it weren't for the condition of her home.
Coroner Shortland said Housing New Zealand had provided her family with a heater but they could not afford the higher electricity costs.
Tenancy Services general manager Kay Read said Housing NZ was investing in upgrades and continually striving to improve its services in this area.
New Zealand Union of Students' Associations said the death of South Auckland toddler Emma-Lita Bourne should spark fresh calls for nationwide rental standards.
Union president Rory McCourt said building and housing minister Nick Smith was "making excuses about not tackling shoddy private rentals" and even some state houses had no carpets or insulation.
"To do nothing to lift rental standards after seven years is just gutless," Mr McCourt said.
"While this case is extreme, the coroner's findings show in black and white what we already know - that cold, damp houses make us sick. Students know it, parents know it, and doctors know it."
Rare complication
August 5: Emma-Lita's mother took her to the doctor.
August 6: Suffered seizures and was admitted to Middlemore Hospital.
August 7: CT scan revealed a bleed on her brain. She was transferred to the Starship and later declared brain dead.
August 8: Her life support was withdrawn and she passed away.
Yesterday: Coroner Brandt Shortland ruled she died of a brain bleed -- an extremely rare complication of her pneumonia. He believed her cold, damp home may have contributed to her illness and subsequent death.
