Government backed housing initiative underway.
The New Zealand government has launched an affordable housing project in eastern Porirua, aiming to support home ownership among Pacific communities. The Our Whare Our Fale initiative, led by Central Pacific Collective and Ngāti Toa Rangatira, received $114.611 million in funding from the Ministry for Pacific Peoples in 2022.
The project involves building up to 300 affordable homes that cater to community needs while promoting better health outcomes and environmental sustainability. The affordability of these homes is ensured through leasing land from Ngāti Toa at no cost, building houses at cost with no profit margins, minimizing costs through scale and innovation, and offering a shared equity scheme.
The project's first 18 homes will begin construction on November 1, with the expected completion date in 2025. Resource consent for two additional sites is underway. The initiative has been praised by Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti and Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka as a significant step towards addressing housing needs and promoting community development.
"This is an exciting development that will improve the lives of families, ease the cost of living, and enhance community outcomes while contributing to New Zealand's economic growth," said Dr Reti.