The recent submission by councillor Heidi Hughes to swap horses for houses out here in Gate Pa needs to be countered by another korero.

Given we look after 200 families who were once homeless, we know a thing or two about green spaces and how important they are for those who lived in a boxed up back yard. While we fully recognise the urgent need for homes - and heaps of them - we equally know the need to keep our green spaces and councillor Hughes's proposal will not help but hinder those who need help most.

If we were to flash forward and see the horses replaced by houses we would not see any change to the type of homeless housing we need.

For us it is imperative to have open spaces for our at-risk youth and homeless clients, who all live within walking distance of the Racecourse - a place to breathe.

So let's all take a breath and hold on to our green spaces and put our saddle of solutions for more houses on another horse.

Tommy Wilson, executive director Te Tuinga Whanau Services.