The publication is aimed at addressing the unique housing needs of the Māori community in New Zealand, offering innovative and culturally sensitive housing solutions that are both practical and sustainable. The authors, who bring a diverse range of expertise in architecture, design, and Māori cultural studies, focus on integrating traditional Māori values and contemporary housing requirements. The guide discusses: a range of proposed housing patterns, such as both urban and rural solutions for whānau and papakainga formulations as well as more specific locations; general design principles, such as communal orientation, flexibility, manuhiri zones, indoor/outdoor flow, and tapu considerations; and specific design issues, such as entrances, whānau/living rooms, bedrooms, mezzanines, kitchens and laundries, bathrooms, as well as considerations for different generations living together. The also provide a number of floor plans for different design concepts.

Summary by Di Menzies for Building Better Homes Towns and Cities Māori and Indigenous Housing Annotated Bibliography.