Sarah Bierre

Dr Sarah Bierre is a Research Fellow with the Department of Public Health at the University of Otago and part of He Kāinga Oranga – Housing and Health Research Programme. She has a BA(Hons) in politics and geography from Victoria University of Wellington and a PhD in Public Health from the University of Otago.

In her research she uses qualitative and critical methodologies to look at how housing policy, politics and law create and alleviate inequalities in access to affordable, secure, and decent housing, with a focus on the rental sector.

Her most recent work looks at the politics and narratives of rental housing standards, the experiences and consequences of eviction, and the function of the Tenancy Tribunal.

Sarah is available to supervise Master's and PhD students in similar areas of research.

 

Key publications

  1. Toy-Cronin, B.
    (2022).
    Sustaining Tenancies or Swift Evictions: Rent Arrears in the Tenancy Tribunal
    Victoria University of Wellington Law Review
    53(1), 105–128.
    Abstract

    There is a contradiction at the centre of tenancy practice and policy.

  2. Cunningham, Chris
    (2013).
    Building Inequality
    In M. Rashbrook (Ed.), Inequality: A New Zealand Crisis.
    Wellington, New Zealand: Bridget Williams Books.
  3. (2008).
    Constructing housing quality, health, and private rental housing: a critical analysis (Thesis, Doctor of Philosophy). University of Otago.
  4. (2007).
    Institutional challenges in addressing healthy low-cost housing for all: learning from past policy.
    Social Policy Journal of New Zealand,
    30, 42-64.