New CEO for NZ affordable housing provider

(AUCKLAND, 10 July 2007) - Habitat for Humanity Zealand has appointed a new CEO, Winsome Stretch.

Habitat for Humanity is an international, Christian, not-for-profit organisation that seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Internationally, the organisation is present in more than 90 countries and has housed more than 225,000 families.

Habitat for Humanity New Zealand was established in 1992. To date it has helped 290 families throughout New Zealand gain the opportunity of affordable home ownership.

Ms Stretch will lead a mix of professional management and dedicated volunteers in the New Zealand operations of the international not-for-profit housing organisation. She will be based at Habitat for Humanity's national office in Auckland.

Her appointment comes at a time when housing affordability and the falling rate of home ownership in this country have come under intense media scrutiny.

Ms Stretch says she is delighted to be joining Habitat for Humanity, an organisation making a positive difference in the lives of families in New Zealand and around the world.

"Home ownership is such a fundamental aspiration for all Kiwis, it will be a pleasure to help many more Kiwi families realize their hopes for a clean, warm, dry and secure place to call their own," she says.

"Habitat for Humanity faces challenges around land acquisition, fund raising and helping more people. I am very much looking forward to finding ways to surmount these challenges and continue our work of building homes and building hope."

Habitat for Humanity New Zealand Chair Tony Lanigan says Ms Stretch brings with her a solid leadership track record, including an eight-year term as CEO of Presbyterian Support Northern and five years as Chief Executive of the New Zealand Association of Credit Unions.

"We are delighted that a person of Winsome's capability, experience and passion is joining the Habitat team at this crucial time of development of the Habitat ministry in New Zealand and the South Pacific," he says.

Habitat for Humanity New Zealand

Habitat for Humanity New Zealand has affiliates nationwide in the following areas:

1. Northland 2. Greater Auckland (Wellsford to Meremere) 3. Central North Island (Waikato, Taupo, Gisborne & Hawkes Bay) 4. Tauranga 5. Rotorua 6. Eastern Bay of Plenty 7. North Taranaki 8. Palmerston North 9. Hutt Valley 10. Porirua (including a sub-group in Horowhenua) 11. Nelson 12. Christchurch 13. Dunedin 14. Invercargill

ENDS

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