Category: Houses

Alex, who lives with a head injury after a work incident, moved from Dunedin to Christchurch last year in need of a fresh start.

“Moving here has literally saved my life. I’m so blessed to live here,” he says.

Alex says his unit’s great location means he is close to all the things he needs in his everyday life, such as the doctor’s surgery and the supermarket. His unit also has extra space for someone to stay overnight when he needs help with medication.

He’s enjoying exploring his new city and all it has to offer. He walks up to eight kilometres a day in summer and has recently joined a walking group co-ordinated by Step Ahead Trust, a not-for-profit organisation.

One of his favourite spots to have some time out is Hagley Park in central Christchurch.

“Once I got injured, I learnt how to do meditation. There’s a part of Hagley Park which has been there since 1843. There’s a cascade of trees and I sit in this wee forest and there’s nothing around. It’s so peaceful.”

His home is also near many good secondhand stores, which means Alex has been able to indulge in another favourite past time – op shopping. Alex – who has been involved in theatre since he was a young boy and had many jobs over the years, including a stint as a window dresser – moved to Christchurch with no furniture. He has enjoyed scouring local op shops to help tastefully furnish his home.

Alex lives in a housing complex with a community room downstairs. He has been working closely with Kāinga Ora community development manager Amanda to look at ways of bringing the residents who live there together.

Over the past few months, residents have held a ‘get to know each other’ meeting in the community room. They have also had the opportunity to get First Aid tips from Hato Hono St John and visits from Step Ahead Trust and Oak Development Trust, a community development organisation. Now Alex is working with Amanda to look at how they can hold sessions that focus on menu planning and cooking.

“The community development work is so important and we’re slowly building a community here…we’re like a tree in its infancy. Having the community room is a real asset for us. It’s our wee whare,” Alex says.

Alex has volunteered in his local community, and for community organisations, for most of his life, receiving many awards in recognition of this work.

He is continuing to give back to the community. Earlier this year, he volunteered at a Matariki event run by Oak Development Trust and he plans to continue volunteering, as he has done for most of his life.

Alex says he is thankful every day that he’s had the chance to put down roots in a place where he can live well. “I love sitting out on the deck and people watching. You never get bored in this place because there’s always something happening.” 

Page updated: 27 August 2024

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Recently, Tess, along with a support crew from Grace Foundation and Parnell Rotary Club came together to continue their work at a community garden for tenants at one of our larger complexes in the central Auckland suburb of Parnell. Waitemata Local Board also provided some funding to support the project.

“The weather was on our side and we were able to plant four new citrus fruit trees. Tenants gave us some hints on what they wanted so they now have a lemon, an orange, a mandarin, and a lime all planted and growing well. Next could be feijoa and fig as we’ve had requests for these trees too,” Tess says.

The week before it was vegetables being planted and existing ones being nurtured.

“The tenant gardening group gets together regularly with community volunteers to tend to all the vegetables growing in the community garden and the hard mahi that has gone into this partnership is continuing to bear fruit for the participants. As a result of this mahi there are neat beds of growing bok choy, broccoli, cabbages, cauliflower, kale, rhubarb, strawberries, and strawberry clover for green composting too” Tess says.

Tess says these types of group activities are undertaken with tenants at the heart and also involve the local Kāinga Ora tenancy team. At Parnell Tess says Senior Housing Support Manager Cheryl and Housing Support Manager Ravindra made a significant contribution to the success of the project through their commitment to always encouraging and keeping tenants informed of what was happening at the complex.

“We’re growing fruit and vegetables so they can be eaten and enjoyed and some flowers and herbs are also nourished for feeding our butterflies, bees, and to elevate our spirits and appreciation of working with nature. Tenants also get a lot of satisfaction seeing the plants and vegetables grow and what it is also does is help to bring people together and create a sense of community and belonging.”

Another bonus is the new friendships tenants make with each other and with the community stakeholder volunteers which makes them feel valued, cared for and supported.” Tess says.

Page updated: 26 August 2024

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Over the 12 months ending in June 2024, Kāinga Ora and its partners renovated 862 state houses, adding at least another 50 years onto the life of the home.

Patrick Dougherty, General Manager Construction and Innovation, says renovating older homes is an essential way Kāinga Ora ensures its housing stock of over 75,000 homes stay fit for purpose.

“Over two thirds of the homes we renovated in the last year were built prior to 1970 with the oldest home being built as far back as 1908.” he says.

“While we regularly maintain all our homes, some of our older ones are in need of a total overhaul. In this case, we assess the home alongside the social housing needs of the area and decide whether to remove the home and redevelop the land or complete an extensive renovation.

“Once renovated, the homes are almost as good as new. They are fully insulated, all the windows are double-glazed, and new heating is installed. Depending on the home, the renovations might also include removing walls to create more open plan living spaces, improving access for customers with mobility needs, and upgrading the kitchen and bathroom.”

From Kaitaia to Invercargill, over 50 local districts saw state homes renovated by local construction teams in the last financial year.

“The renovation work also creates employment opportunities within these local communities,” says Mr Dougherty.

“We have 27 construction companies working with us to complete the renovations. They will usually have their own carpentry teams and employ local subcontractors such as electricians, painters and carpet installers.

“Renovating a home takes three to four months on average, so we move tenants to a temporary home, usually another state house in their neighbourhood, while it is completed. In the last year we have seen over 2,100 people return to a home that’s like a new build. It’s an improvement that can be life-changing for the families.”

Page updated: 23 August 2024

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Local iwi recently blessed the four new one-bedroom homes at George Street in Blenheim, which have been completed by local contractor CMT Group Limited.

Julia Campbell, Regional Director Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast, says all four homes are built to full universal design standards, which means they are suitable for everyone, including people with accessibility needs. They can also be adapted as people’s needs change.

“These homes are designed in such a way that means we’re able to provide new homes for some of our current customers who need to move from where they’re living to a place that will better meet their needs. We’re looking forward to welcoming customers into the homes in the coming weeks.”

Some of the full universal design features incorporated into the homes include wider hallways, level entry showers and level entry access at the back of the homes.

The four new homes have replaced two older homes that were no longer fit-for-purpose. “By increasing the number of homes on this site, we’re able to provide more homes in a great location close to the town centre, the supermarket and other amenities,” Ms Campbell says.

Construction of the homes began in March this year.

Page updated: 21 August 2024

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Mr Crockett has considerable experience in large organisations driving performance improvement and has held senior executive and Chief Executive Officer roles in the telecommunications and building products industries.

Board Chair Simon Moutter confirmed Mr Crockett is joining the organisation for 12 months to assist the Board in responding to the Government’s expectations to deliver a financial performance plan in November and set the organisation up to deliver against it.

“Matt will work with the Board and executive team to ensure Kāinga Ora is operating as effectively and efficiently as it can, and to align the organisation’s delivery of housing, tenancy services and financial performance to the Government’s expectations,’’ Mr Moutter said.

“With a background in leading large companies through transformational change, Matt is the ideal choice to lead Kāinga Ora for the next year of significant change and set the new course, before appointing a permanent Chief Executive.’’

Mr Crockett starts with Kāinga Ora on 2 September.

Mr Moutter confirmed the outgoing Chief Executive Andrew McKenzie will remain with the organisation until 31 October and will advise the Board on the development of the financial performance plan and assist with the handover to Matt.

“The Board and I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Andrew McKenzie for the significant contribution he has made as Chief Executive of Kāinga Ora, and its predecessor Housing New Zealand,’’ Mr Moutter said.

Matt Crocket bio

Matt is an experienced business leader in New Zealand and internationally, with a particular focus on leading and supporting large strategic transformations. He has been a divisional Chief Executive through times of major change at both Telecom New Zealand, where he led the Wholesale and International division, and Fletcher Building, where he led the Building Products division.

He has also been the Chief Transformation Officer at Spark NZ, Optus Telecommunications, and Vodafone NZ, and more recently has been supporting multiple pan-company transformations internationally with a focus on senior executive coaching and capability building.

Matt has deep experience in the application of digital and wider technologies to support business improvement, and a strong track record of building the organizational engagement, culture and capabilities needed to execute and sustain improved company performance.

Originally graduating and working as a Mining Engineer, Matt subsequently completed a Master of Philosophy in Management at Oxford University, where he attended as a Rhodes Scholar. He has a strong interest in Te Ao Māori and has completed the Te Ara Reo Māori certificate at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. 

Page updated: 20 August 2024

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When Nasra and her family moved into their home at a Kāinga Ora complex, they had one big wish – a friendly and supportive community. Now everyone knows the family and pitches in to volunteer at the community events Nasra organises.

“I moved in here five years ago along with my husband Jafari and four children. It was brand new, and we wanted our children to live in a safe, friendly place so we thought about what we could do to create that, how we could get to know everyone.”

Nasra’s first step was to organise a Neighbours Day BBQ after seeing a poster about it.

“On the day, around 50 people turned up and we had a wonderful time. People were saying they wanted more opportunities to get together so we made a list of what we wanted.”

The complex includes a community room, so Nasra and her helpers decided to start by using the space to run a free school holiday programme. It’s been a great success with up to 20 children in attendance for games and craft fun under the watchful eyes of volunteer staff.

Neighbour Sammi says she volunteers because she loves children: “They call me Aunty or Teacher. And I wanted to help my friend Nasra. She brings love, joy, and happiness to this neighbourhood.”

The children return to the community room on Friday nights for movies and popcorn, another chance to be with friends. And for the grown-ups, there are clothing swap shops, a sewing club, and occasional workshops.

Hikmah, another volunteer, especially enjoys the sewing club. “I wanted to learn new skills and do something for my family. Being able to sew my children’s clothes makes me feel proud and it saves my family money. And I’ve made wonderful friends through the group.

“In the summer, the children play together for hours, and we feel a great sense of safety and support.

“We have neighbours from India, Samoa, Iraq, Africa, Germany, and China. We all want to feel safe and to have friends.”

To help new migrants settle in, the volunteer group organise workshops where neighbours learn about Māori and New Zealand culture, as well as events to celebrate Christmas, Easter, Chinese New Year and Eid, to name but a few.

“It is important to us to learn the ways of New Zealand and to help others feel that they belong. Together we are so much stronger,” says Nasra.

“When we were first here, I was nervous to send my children outside to play but now all the kids know each other, they play together and respect each other – and it’s the most beautiful thing.” 

Page updated: 15 August 2024

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After five moves in the last two years, Cynthia, her 82-year-old mum Terongo, and Terongo’s 10-year-old great-granddaughter Devannah-Paige finally have a home in which they can settle.

It has been horrid, says the resilient Cynthia, fighting back tears. “I have had the responsibility of constantly trying to find somewhere for us stay and I have hated it; it has just been so hard.

“When Vicky (Kāinga Ora placement advisor) told me she had a home for us to look at, I didn’t want to get too excited. That news was just too good to be true.”

“Now we have moved in, I am so relieved. The thought of having a long-term home that we won’t get moved on from, is huge. It has been a long road getting here.”

Cynthia’s whanau whakapapa to Tokomaru Bay on the East Coast.

“Mum moved back to Tokomaru Bay after living in Auckland for 46 years. We were in an older state home and had to move out when it was getting upgraded. We decided to move back to our roots. We moved into one of the kaumatua flats in Tokomaru Bay and lived there for 2 years.

Terongo is the matriarch of a large family – she has 96 direct descendants.

Unfortunately, we moved on from the flats after family celebrated mum’s 80th birthday. With nowhere else to go, in 2022 we moved onto family land that was also in Tokomaru Bay. The land had been surveyed to have a house placed on the site for us all to live in. That was where we were when the wettest summer in living memory landed in Tairāwhiti.”

The rains started in November and just didn’t stop, recalls Cynthia. “Then Cyclone Hale hit us hard followed by Cyclone Gabrielle.”

“We were living in a kaūta (lean-to) at the time. The home-made kitchen and living area were made from corrugated iron. It had no power, no running water and no floor; definitely off the grid! I hired a cabin where Devannah-Paige, our extended family and I were sleeping. Mum slept on a couch in the kaūta.

“After the cyclones, we were completely cut off. The Mangahauini River bridge that takes you into Gisborne was gone. Supplies were delivered via a chilli bin hooked on a pulley that was hauled over the river. Our land is in a gully down river. With the huge number of trees and debris washed down, our land was devastated and is still at risk.”

“That’s when the Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) stepped in. The TAS service is activated to house people after Civil Defence emergencies. They moved us into a motel in Gisborne. Then we were lucky enough to get a temporary house before we were moved into a cabin at a local motor camp. That’s where we were when we got the call from Vicky.”

Terongo is also relieved. “This house is so big compared to what we have been living in. I am looking forward to having my family visit without any problems. This is very important to me.”

“I have trouble getting around now. It is great to use my hospital bed again. I have been sleeping on a lazyboy chair for some time. The house has been built with wider doorways, a larger shower so I can fit my shower chair in and a separate toilet – which is a real treat,” adds Terongo.

As her home is starting to come together, Cynthia reflects that she can stop wondering if they will be homeless again. “Thank goodness we got a house just before I broke. I really couldn’t have taken much more.”

Page updated: 14 August 2024

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Te Mātāwai in central Auckland operates under a single site supported housing model that combines a permanent home with 24/7 onsite support services to residents. It is the first of its kind to be developed and delivered by Kāinga Ora in Aotearoa and recently marked one year open in the community.

“I lived in the old original 1950’s 87-unit building. As the site was being redeveloped we were all supported to move to other Kāinga Ora homes. In 2018, I moved to another place across town but always knew I would be back as I really wanted to live in the new development Kāinga Ora was planning to build on the site.”

“I was also keen to move back because I was involved in one of the tenant advisory groups. We had opportunities to provide ideas to Kāinga Ora about the sorts of facilities the new development needed to have. Some of the suggestions we made were an onsite communal kitchen and dining area where residents could eat together. We also provided input about outdoor areas. It’s just fantastic to see that Te Mātāwai has these facilities for tenants to enjoy.”

“My home at Te Mātāwai is on level 2. It’s brand new and so nice and warm. From my unit I also have a view over the outdoor areas which means a lot to me.”

“As Te Mātāwai is in a great location I get to enjoy everything the city has to offer. I often walk to the public library and a movie and visit friends that live locally in other Kāinga Ora homes. As I have an interest in architecture I love nothing more than walking around the CBD and seeing all the changes that are taking place.”

“The Hapori Kaitiaki – community guardians that welcome me and other tenants as soon as we walk through the front door are a super friendly team. Seeing a friendly face that knows you by name and can help if needed is heartwarming.”

“Looking ahead I want to do another computer course like the course I completed recently in the computer room here at Te Mātāwai as it’s helping me to learn new skills. I’ve really enjoyed my first year living here and always knew what was going to replace the old building was going to be awesome. Te Mātāwai has turned out to be everything I knew it would be and so much more,” Jane says.

Page updated: 5 August 2024

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Zita Smith has lived in the same Kāinga Ora home in Rutherford Road for the last 32 years. Her home is one of a group of six flats. Many of her immediate neighbours have also lived there a long time, so looking after each other is a way of life.

When I saw the new homes in the street were finished and new families were moving in, I wanted to awhi (support) them with love, says Zita.

“I wanted to make sure our new neighbours felt welcome and knew where to turn if they needed anything.”

As a tangible symbol of that welcoming and to symbolise a new start, the very handy Zita made a taonga (treasure); a kohatu or decorated stone embedded with aroha (love) to enhance the wairua (spirit) of each new home. A kohatu was placed on the bench of each home before whānau moved in.

“My aroha went out to the whānau, many who have come from living in motels and other places unsuitable places to raise their children. These whānau are on the start of a new journey and they will blossom now. It is a great feeling to have one of these beautiful warm places to call home and to start building new memories.”

Her awhi was shared straight after the new homes were blessed by local kaumatua and those attending shared whanaungatanga (getting to know each other).

I told them all that if they need a cup of sugar or anything else they know where to find me, says Zita.

“If they are short of food, they can get a hot meal at Trinity Church three days a week where my sister and I help with food preparation.”

Food preparation for Trinity Church meals is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to helping in her community.

We were brought up a farm outside of Wairoa, recalls Zita.

“We were isolated; nowhere near town, so we had to grow our own vegetables. We shared what we grew with others in our community. That was how we were brought up. It has stuck with me, my sisters and my children. We are all involved in giving back to our communities in some way.”

Zita worked in security at the Warehouse in Napier for 27 years where she became a popular staff member.

“The Warehouse were very supportive of the charity work I was involved in.”

As a long-standing Māori Warden, Zita also works at the district court ‘looking after our people’. When she is not on Māori Warden duties she can be found cooking for her elderly neighbours, working with her sisters to making 2500 ‘Yuri Bears” for the children in Ukraine or crocheting blankets for babies in hospitals throughout the North Island.

The baby blankets are not just a casual hobby. In the 18 months since Cyclone Gabrielle Zita has crocheted 3500 baby blankets.

“Each one takes me about half a day or more to make. I don’t watch a lot of TV, so I crochet. One of my sisters has now come onboard to help me with this.”

It doesn’t look like Zita, or her sister will be putting their feet up anytime soon.

Page updated: 2 August 2024

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The recently completed development is near the corner of Gladstone Road and Mill Road and opposite Te Hapara School. The homes have been built on the back of a 5118m site, that held three state homes and vacant land.

The development comprises one six-bedroom home, three four-bedroom homes, four three-bedroom homes and one two-bedroom home.

Naomi Whitewood, (Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi) Regional Director East North Island, says we are privileged to be able to provide warm, comfortable long-term homes for nine whānau who have had nowhere suitable to live for some time.
“By increasing the number of homes on this site, more whānau will enjoy living in an area that is across the road from Te Hapara School and close to other services.

“We take a careful approach to matching the homes to whānau with the highest priority for a home of that size and who will be a good fit with the neighbouring community. The larger size of the homes and the school close by, were important considerations when matching families to the homes. That is one reason so many tamariki are now living in this development.”

“Our new customers were keen to move into their new home as soon as possible. Once completed, the homes were blessed, and all the families started moving in straight away.”

Charmaine and her six children are one of the whanau that couldn’t wait to move into their new home.

“It’s been a really difficult journey to get a place where we can all live and not worry about getting moved on. It’s been nearly four years of uncertainty; first in a motel 20 minutes from town and then in transitional housing.

“When we lived in the motel out of town, I was making eight trips a day until 10pm at night! I had to pick up and drop off the kids and fit in my shifts at work around all the other things that needed doing.

“It was easier to work shifts when I was in transitional housing. We lived closer to the kids schools and I had the best social workers supporting us from Te Runanga o Ngāti Porou.

“Moving into this home I now feel at peace; like there is a big weight off my shoulders. Ideally we would have had a home four years ago, when the kids were younger. My four eldest are all teenagers now.

“We will make the most of this opportunity. I am looking forward to going back to fulltime work once we are all settled. After years of sleeping in the lounge, I now get a bedroom. It has a view. The thought of settling down and never having to move again is bliss.”

Esther is another mum who has moved into one of the new homes. She also has six children. Three of them attend Te Hapara school, with the youngest starting there next year.

“They have been running around school telling all their mates they are moving into one of the flash new houses over the road.”

“We are all so excited about living here. The kids and I have been dancing around the house waiting for the moment we can move in.”

See where we are building or planning to build in Gisborne(external link).

Page updated: 26 July 2024

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