The government is partnering with Ngāti Maniapoto to build 40 rental homes in Te Kūiti. Photo: Waitomo District Council / waitomo.govt.nz
The government is partnering with Ngāti Maniapoto to build 40 affordable rental homes in Te Kūiti,
as part of a Treaty of Waitangi settlement.
The government has approved in principle $17 million for the partnership, while the iwi will contribute $11m - representing 50 percent of the housing supply costs and the land.
Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka said the area had a high housing need.
"With over a third of Te Kūiti residents renting, the limited availability of rental properties makes it difficult for whānau to secure stable housing," he said.
"We're taking action to help address this shortage, which will also help local businesses because employers can struggle to attract and retain staff due to the lack of affordable housing. This mahi can mean a world of difference for whānau in small rural communities that need stable employment and incomes.
"The development, named Te Kirikiri, will feature affordable rentals of a mixed typology to meet the diverse needs of kaumātua and young whānau, consisting of 20 two-bedroom accessible homes for kaumātua, 13 three-bedroom homes and 7 four-bedroom homes."
Building was scheduled to begin next month and would take about two years to complete.
"These affordable rentals will support Ngāti Maniapoto's ambition to place 200 whānau in safe, secure, high-quality and affordable homes by 2030."
Potaka said there had been very little residential development in Maniapoto over the last 40 years and this development would be one of the largest for many years.
Only about 25 percent of iwi members owned a home, he said.
The investment was part of a $200 million commitment announced earlier this year to accelerate Māori housing projects nationwide, and enable the delivery of 400 affordable rentals in high-need areas by the end of June 2027.
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