First homes ready for Wairoa affordable housing project

It was the week before Christmas when Wairoa announced that the first four homes of their affordable housing project were complete, ready for whānau to move in before the festive season.

It’s part of the Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa’s (TToTW) Te Rauā residential development, which underpins the trust’s commitment to providing affordable housing solutions for the community.

Last Monday the first few out of 43 new homes on Kitchener St were opened by Cushla Tangaere Manuel, MP for Ikaroa-Rāwhiti, and Katie Nimon, MP for Napier.

All homes in Te Rauā will be affordable rentals to support whānau with diverse needs. These homes include 1–4-bedroom units, catering to various household sizes.

Whānau can now express their interest in the new homes and apply.

Following the devastation wrought by Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023, there has been a shortage of safe, healthy, and affordable rental homes.

The original project was to have 56 units but the development revised it to see 30 larger whānau homes and 13 kaumātua-sized ngā whāre.

The number of homes were downsized to fit the local community’s needs.

Tātau Tātau CEO Lewis Ratapu said the kāmauta living complexes were timely due to Wairoa having no retirement villages or rest homes since the last facility was affected by the North Clyde flood last year

“The supported living complex, Tokotoko o Te Rangi, will be the final stage of the development and will provide essential support and accommodation for our kaumātua in need, further demonstrating our commitment to holistic community development.”

Ratapu added the project has been built around whanaungatanga, so kaumātua remains at the heart of their community, surrounded by their whānau, rather than having to move into rest homes.

from left Tatau Tatau CEO Lewis Ratapu, Tatau Tatau Commercial CEO Aayden Clarke, MP Katie Nimon, Tatau Tatau Chair Leon Symes, MP Cushla Tangaere-Manuel, Waylon Tahuri-Whaipakanga, Denise Eaglesome-Karekare, Jason Rogers. Photo: supplied.

Tātau Tātau Commercial chief executive Aayden Clarke said the project wouldn’t have been possible without the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development grant.

“We’ve worked closely with the TToTW trust to refine our selection criteria and finalise tenancy management protocols, ensuring a smooth transition for future residents.

“We are collaborating with three major contractors, including Iconiq Construction, PCS Projects and Platinum Homes, enabling us to de-risk the project by partnering with large construction organisations who take the responsibility and liability for delivering the vertical homes.

“More importantly, these contractors are engaging local businesses—plumbers, electricians, builders, and scaffolders—ensuring that the economic benefits of this project extend throughout our community,” said Clarke.

One all the houses are completed, TToTW will work alongside Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga to manage tenancies in a new regional community housing provider collaboration.

“Te Rauā is more than just a housing development; it is a community endeavour aimed at fostering whānau ora, healthy and prosperous families. As we continue to build and expand this initiative, partners such as Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga which is the largest kaupapa Māori housing provider in Aotearoa is critical to seeing families thrive in their new homes.” said Ratapu.

Eligible whānau can apply annually for the “Te Rauā Affordable Rental Grant,” which enables them to pay just 80% of the market rent. This grant is designed to assist households that do not qualify for public or social housing or the Income-Related Rent Subsidy (IRRS). The initiative aims to support whānau in Te Rauā on their journey toward permanent housing through pathways to homeownership.

Whānau can register their interest in the available rental units via email at [email protected]