CHA2026 Keynote and Plenary Speakers

Kay Saville-Smith is trained in sociology (MA Hons) and history (Phd). For over thirty years she has undertaken and led research programmes on housing, the building sector and towns and cities. That research is solution-directed, cross-disciplinary, and cross-organisational and is designed to assist decision-makers and practitioners across central/local government, community and industry sectors to understand: (1) the logics of housing markets and systems; the opportunities and limits on the delivery of affordable housing; (2) the interface between regional development and urban, provincial and rural settlement living standards and wellbeing; (3) the impacts of design, building performance and condition on wellbeing; (4) the impacts of cross-sectoral policy, investment and service settings on housing access focusing on research that promotes the capacities and capabilities of people and communities to define and meet their housing needs including seniors, Māori, new settlers, Pacifica, young people and disabled people.  She has been awarded MNZM for her contribution to research into housing as seniors. In 2024 she was awarded the President’s Award, Te Kāhui Whaihanga, New Zealand Institute of Architects and the Royal Society’s Metge Medal for research excellence. For five years until 30 November 2025, Kay was the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development’s Chief Science Adviser as well as being the director of CRESA. She has recently contributed to a BRANZ funded research project on structural change in the rental market. She is also co-leading a new programme on challenge of maintenance and repairs.