Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora
The couple are the first in their aiga (family) to buy property. They grew up in Sāmoa with little access to education or income and moved to Auckland to make the most of opportunities here.
It wasn’t an easy move: they spoke little English and had to depend on family help while they looked for work, but they tackled all obstacles together, determined to build a good life here.
Suamasi set up his business as a builder and each week, the couple put aside money towards a deposit on a home.
He worked long hours, often leaving before the children woke and working past their bedtimes. When the tamaiti were at school, Semala worked alongside her husband to plaster, paint and hammer.
However, the couple struggled with unsuitable or expensive accommodation, moving from a cold and cramped caravan on the lawn of a family member’s home, to a private rental that squeezed their income.
In 2006, the family was approved for a state home in East Tāmaki which Semala says was a great relief. The new home was safe and warm, and the rent was affordable.
However, they never lost sight of their dream to become homeowners. No matter how many bills came in or how many family and friends they helped, they continued to save.
By late-2022, they’d saved $125,000 – enough for a 20% deposit on a house.
After two failed attempts to secure a mortgage, they approached a Sāmoan-speaking mortgage advisor for help with the application process.
“It helped a lot to have someone speaking our language,” says Semala. “But it was still a long process to get all our documentation in order. It took six months,”
Finally, the couple’s purchase went through and in March 2023 they moved into their new home in Ōtara with four bedrooms and a good-sized backyard.
“We were very overwhelmed and felt very blessed. Glory to God. We are very proud that we’ve been able to buy a home in the community that we love; it feels like our hard work and sacrifices have paid off,” Semala says.
“We’re so happy that our children have a forever home.”
Suamasi is delighted to be able to make improvements to the home, something he couldn’t do in rented properties. He has already built a new fence and decking, and the couple have a long list of plans for renovations.
They are also very happy to welcome friends and aiga who need somewhere to stay and something to eat. It’s the way Suamasi was raised, and he wants to continue the family tradition of giving.
“It feels good know our children have security and we hope that they too will become homeowners.”
For now, the eldest two are at university; Calen, 20 studying information technology and Rose, 18, studying teaching. The other children, Ordaine, 15, Simone, 11 and Gideon, 8, are in school.
“We tell our kids to study hard so they can get good jobs,” says Semala. “We didn’t have this opportunity in Sāmoa so we encourage our children to make the most of it. We tell them to go to school, find a job and you will have a good life.”