About the Mayors Taskforce for Homelessness (MTFH)
The Mayors Taskforce for Homelessness is a nationwide network of New Zealand Mayors working to reduce homelessness in their local areas through:
The strategic long-term planning and prevention of homelessness.
The day-to-day response required to provide immediate solutions to individual situations.
Core Functions
Strengthen partnerships with central government, iwi, community providers, and other stakeholders.
Advocate collectively for long‑term, sustainable solutions to reduce and prevent homelessness.
Amplify local experience and evidence to inform national policy, and funding settings.
Share effective approaches, data, and innovations to improve outcomes and reduce duplication across councils.
Lead narrative shift through balanced and constructive public conversations that addressees community concerns
MTFH will work together to solve
Unsheltered Homelessness
Target 1 – Reduction in the number of people living without shelter in each local area
Hidden Homelessness
Target 2 – Increase affordable supply and access to stable housing to address overcrowding and uninhabitable homes.
Youth Homelessness
Target 3 – Increase targeted housing solutions for youth and improve youth education and employment opportunities to reduce youth homelessness.
MTFH will work with local communities to
Reduce Unsheltered Homelessness
Help people exit homelessness
Prevent people entering homelessness
Coordinated Case Management system to create multidisciplinary plans for every person living without shelter
Early identification systems to provide support before (re)entering homelessness
Immediate Access Housing and Supported Living options for local residents living without shelter
Assertive Outreach to increase engagement with frontline support services
Reduce Hidden Homelessness
Information sessions on affordable rentals, healthy homes & alternate home ownership pathways.
Prioritise infrastructure to unlock housing development on Māori land
Organise forums to connect local providers, funding partners, and
Housing stock improvement and repair programme
Building and strengthening Local Partnerships to enable housing growth and supply
Increase awareness and pathways for local residents to access long-term housing
Reduce Youth Homelessness
Improve Housing Access for young people
Improve Employment and Education Opportunities
A dedicated register, coordinated case management and pathway into housing for youth
Partner with MTFJ programme to connect employment and housing outcomes
Early identification systems to educate, connect, and prepare young people for stable housing
Scale effective Youth Housing Models
Our communities care about homelessness do
Homelessness has become one of the most significant challenges affecting communities throughout New Zealand. An estimated 2.3% of the usually resident population were severely housing deprived up according to the 2023 Census. Numbers may be higher due to a high number of cases that could not be determined. While often associated with rough sleeping, homelessness includes people living in temporary accommodation, overcrowded housing, and uninhabitable dwellings. Most homelessness remains hidden from public view.
4.4% Living without shelter
12% Temporary Accommodation
22% Shared Living
61.5% Uninhabitable Housing
Why it matters
When young people thrive, so do our communities. Employment helps build confidence, independence, and a sense of purpose and supports families to prosper. Every job created is a step towards a stronger, more connected New Zealand.
Our impact
Since its inception, MTFJ has supported thousands of young people into meaningful employment and training. By working hand-in-hand with local leaders, we’ve helped communities unlock their potential, create social cohesion and boost local economies. (Link to Impact report).
Members
The strategic direction and activity focus of MTFJ are guided by our Membership.
This Membership is made up of mayors from across the country, is dedicated to enhancing employment outcomes for young people, ensuring MTFJ’s initiatives remain locally relevant and nationally impactful.
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Ben Bell
Andy Watson
Bernie Wanden
Tania Gibson
Darren Ludlow
Weston Kirton
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Richard Hills, Auckland City Council
Steve Cretney, Carterton District Council
Will Foley, Central Hawkes Bay District Council
Tamah Alley, Central Otago District Council
Phil Mauger, Christchurch City Council
Jock Martin, Clutha District Council
Sophie Barker, Dunedin City Council
Rehette Stoltz, Gisborne District Council
Tania Gibson, Grey District Council
Wendy Schollum, Hastings District Council
Toby Adams, Hauraki District Council
Tom Campbell and Darren Ludlow, Invercargill City Council
Jonathan Larsen, Kaipara District Council
Craig Mackle, Kaikoura District Council
Janet Holborrow, Kāpiti Coast District Council
Faylene Tunui, Kawerau District Council
Scott Aronsen, Mackenzie District Council
Michael Ford, Manawatū District Council
Becks Johnson, Masterton District Council
Ash Tanner, Matamata-Piako District Council
Richard McGrath, Napier City Council
Max Brough, New Plymouth District Council
David Moore, Ōpōtiki District Council
Rodney Dow, Ōtorohanga District Council
John Glover, Queenstown Lakes District Council
Weston Kirton, Ruapehu District Council
Tania Tapsell, Rotorua Lakes Council
Lydia Gliddon, Selwyn District Council
Fran Wilde, South Wairarapa DC
Robin Scott, Southland District Council
Neil Volzke, Stratford District Council
Scott Gilmore, Tararua District Council
Tim King, Tasman District Council
John Funnell, Taupō District Council
Peter Revell, Thames-Coromandel District Council
Dan Gordon, Waimakariri District Council
Melanie Tavendale, Waitaki District Council
John Robertson, Waitomo District Council
Helen Lash, Westland District Council
Nandor Tanczos, Whakatāne District Council
Andrew Tripe, Whanganui District Council
MTFJ Team
The MTFJ team manages the funding, strategy, and operational aspects of the taskforce.
The MTFJ national team is led by a small but dedicated staff who drive both advocacy and service delivery. They work closely with the mayoral collective to shape strategy, influence policy, and champion youth employment. At the same time, they collaborate with government, funders, and councils to activate local networks, manage funding, and support practical employment initiatives. Our team ensure MTFJ delivers real opportunities for young people while strengthening local economies and communities across Aotearoa. Together with dedicated MTFJ coordinators across the country, they’re helping to strengthen communities, grow local economies, and shape a future where every young person has a chance to succeed.
Mayor Ben Bell
MTFJ Chair
Ben brings a perspective grounded in the lived experiences of the rangatahi we serve. At 26, he understands firsthand the challenges facing young people across rural and provincial Aotearoa, and he couples that insight with a growing track record in local leadership. His first term as Mayor of Gore gave him a deep appreciation for partnership, accountability, and the importance of focusing on outcomes that matter for communities — values that sit at the heart of MTFJ.
He steps into the Chair role with a clear commitment to strengthening how MTFJ supports youth pathways into employment, training, and education. Ben brings energy for engaging directly with young people, employers, and partners such as MSD, and he places real value on the collective knowledge held across our network of councils. His approach centres on collaboration, sharing what works, and staying anchored in the realities rangatahi navigate daily — from social pressures to housing affordability and the fast-changing world of work.
Ben’s proximity to the young people we serve strengthens the bridge between governance and lived experience. His leadership is grounded in humility and service, and in a belief that no mayor can deliver this work alone — but together, our collective strength can open doors for rangatahi across the motu.
Tammie Metcalfe
MTFJ Programme Manager
Tammie Metcalfe started her working life behind bars as a Corrections Officer for Manawatu Prison when she was only 20. She then transitioned to the non-profit sector, working for Birthright, one of New Zealand's oldest NGOs before making the shift to Melbourne where she focused on helping vulnerable children with complex needs. Returning to NZ in the middle of Covid-19 pandemic, Tammie decided to devote her skills to supporting our young people in the MTFJ programme.
Tammie's experience has made her resilient and unshakable. She has witnessed the most difficult aspects of life, which has fuelled her determination to be a strong advocate for rangatahi and their families. Her goal is to prevent the recurring cycle of crisis situations from one generation to the next.
Beyond work, Tammie’s a busy Mum to twin girls and can be found spending her free time out in the garden, landscaping her new home or with her head in a book as she pursues a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Social Anthropology.
Eden Wilson,
MTFJ Programme Advisor
Eden joins the team from her previous role as the MTFJ Coordinator for Clutha.
Looking for a job?
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