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Alex, who shared his story earlier this year about living in the complex, has been working with Kāinga Ora Community Development Manager Amanda to look at ways of bringing tenants together in the community room downstairs.

As part of this, Amanda, with Alex’s help, organised for charitable organisation Kingdom Resources to run its Christchurch-based ‘Money and Kai’ programme, which focuses on things such as menu planning and easy meal preparation.

Tenants got together in the community room every Wednesday for four weeks, making the most of the chance to learn about making affordable, tasty meals from scratch before sharing the kai they had made with each other. At one of the sessions, Alex also shared with other residents how he shops and eats on a budget.

Alex says he’s enjoying helping Amanda to bring everyone together and the “Money and Kai’ course has given him, and the other tenants, a real boost.

“Having this home and the sense of purpose of working with Amanda to support and encourage my neighbours to get involved has helped me too, saved my life really.  The course has been very educational and everyone seems uplifted from learning together. It’s increased their mana.

“I’ve also been able to share the budget learnings and recipes with my friends and family, which is nice,” Alex says.

Jacinta from Kingdom Resources says it was great to see Kāinga Ora tenants enjoying each other’s company and sharing ideas on how to eat well within a budget. “That’s what this course is all about. People saying, ‘I have knowledge, and you have knowledge and how can we make it easier for each other,” she says.

Page updated: 31 October 2024

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Pari Walker, a Kaumatua of Northland hapū Te Parawhau, unveiled the name at a recent dawn ceremony for Wanaka Street – the largest Kāinga Ora development in the region – before he led a group to officially open the homes.

“People call it a blessing but it’s actually a tuwhera,” Pari says. Tuwhera, which can mean ‘opening up’ or ‘to be open’, includes different types of karakia.

“They revolve around things like the earth – the whenua – the buildings, the materials, Tāne’s realm and where all of that comes from, and it’s clearing the spaces.”

Named for ‘whakaaro’

As the tuwhera draws to a close, Pari explains how Papa Totara Loop’s name came from the relationship between Te Parawhau, Kāinga Ora and build partner Soho Group during development of the homes.

“Once we got through the design phase, we went through our uara,” says Pari Walker. “We have an uara ahurea, which is our cultural values, and we looked at a lot of things.”

Plans originally included the removal of two trees, a tōtara and a pūriri, so mana whenua requested they remain.

“They altered their plans to save the trees,” Pari says, “and so in acknowledgement to their whakaaro and what they did, we named the road Papa Totara.”

Homes for ‘how people live’

The homes here were designed and built by Soho Group for Kāinga Ora customers, and those customers were the focus from the project’s beginning.

“Soho Group wanted to partner with Kāinga Ora because we see the work that Kāinga Ora does as really vital and important – it works to the same core values that we do,” says General Manager Ben Noone.

“We think this is going to be a great place for people to come and live, because it’s taken into account how people live.

“It’s homes built with community gardens, it’s got community space, it’s got greenspace. It’s got the aspect of the sun, and how the weather works, all considered into the development.”

Room to connect

Along with each of the 55 new homes, Papa Totara Loop also connects residents with Te Whare o Tukua o Punga – a community room for residents to gather, have a cup of tea and get to know their neighbours.

Its name was gifted by Northland hapū Ngāti Hau, in honour of the suburb where these homes were built, Tikipunga, and how it was originally known by mana whenua.

‘Partnerships built this’

For Jeff Murray, Kāinga Ora Regional Director – Northland, the development reflects what can be achieved by working together.

“The development is thoughtfully designed and built, prioritising connection and community,” he says.

“Partnerships built this development, and we’re already seeing those same values extend to supporting our customers as they move in.

“Members at HOPE Tikipunga church have prepared welcome baskets for residents. Our Housing Support team will also be here at Te Whare o Tukua o Punga each week, to meet with our customers and help them make the most of this space.”

With strong foundations set, Wanaka Street is on its way to meet Kaumatua Pari’s final hopes for this place.

“Well my hopes are that we’re not just building them a house,” he says. “My hopes are that we’re building them a community.”

Page updated: 25 October 2024

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Rose, Stakeholder Relationship Manager for Central and East Auckland says information sessions continue to be a really important way for Kāinga Ora to keep communities informed.

“While we ensure information about our developments is always accessible through online channels like our website and our interactive Social Pinpoint maps which we provide by Local Board area, we also recognise that communities appreciate an opportunity to meet face-to-face. We also invite tenants as these events provide an opportunity to meet neighbours and other stakeholders active in the local community.” Rose says.

Howick Local Board Chair Damian Light who came along agrees.

“The Howick Local Board is grateful that Kāinga Ora continues to engage with our communities before, during, and after these developments – helping build homes and communities.”

“Information sessions are a great opportunity for locals to meet with Kāinga Ora team members to learn more about the developments happening around Pakūranga. With a number of new homes already delivered, I also enjoyed an opportunity to meet some of the new tenants and welcome them to the neighbourhood.”

“It’s also encouraging to see the quality of developments that are being delivered in our area, especially those that are accessible through universal design.” Damian says.

New Pakūranga tenant Abdulla also enjoyed the information session.

“I came along as our family have recently moved into a new Kāinga Ora home in this community. I also wanted to let Kāinga Ora know that our home is already having a positive impact on the health of my children,” Abdulla said.

“When we were living in our other rental house my children were always sick with breathing problems, chest infections, coughs, and colds. I am so happy now as my children are no longer sick. Our new Kāinga Ora home is a healthy house and so warm, and dry,” Abdulla says.

Kāinga Ora has delivered 81 new warm, dry homes over the past year across 12 sites in Pakuranga including this 6-bedroom family home.

Page updated: 24 October 2024

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At Janette’s new apartment complex, there are nooks in the entrance space where neighbours can gather, with lounge chairs and built-in window seats.

Janette noticed open storage spaces beneath the window seats and immediately visualised them filled with books. She thought how nice it would be for neighbours to lounge in the light-filled spaces reading or for them to borrow books to read back in their apartments.

A month on, Janette’s vision has become a reality thanks to her enterprise and with support from the local library.

“I’m an avid reader and I saw the opportunity for us to have a little library,” says Janette.

“I popped into the public library and asked if they had any old books for sale. They gave me 20 used books, but they refused to take any money for them.”

Library staff said the books were a welcome gift to their new neighbours and soon followed up with a further 10 books.

Janette is modest about her effort, saying it’s all part of being in a community.

“One of my neighbours helped me get my washing machine plumbed in, and another showed me how to work the heat pump. Organising a little library is a way that I can contribute.”

The complex is designed for ease of community building, with all customers having access to resident lounges, where they meet weekly to chat and often bring food to share.

“I’m very happy here,” says Janette. “The location is fantastic with easy access to shops and amenities, my apartment is secure, quiet and sunny, and my neighbours are great.” 

Page updated: 22 October 2024

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Nick Maling, General Manager National Services, says some of our customers have reported issues with the heaters sparking and the plastic casing being damaged by heat.

“We are asking customers with this model of heater in their home to stop using them.

“We have also informed WorkSafe New Zealand and the product supplier, who has advised the manufacturer. As the regulator, WorkSafe will determine the next steps.

“If customers have not yet heard from us and they have one of these heaters in their home, we ask that they not use the heater until further notice.”

If customers have any questions or concerns, they can call Kāinga Ora on 0800 801 601 and one of the team will be able to help them.

Page updated: 18 October 2024

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That is why Kāinga Ora is teaming up with New Zealand’s oldest and largest animal welfare charity, SPCA, and some Northland vet clinics to offer hundreds of customers in Whangarei and Kaitaia the opportunity to get their cats and dogs desexed at no charge.

The SPCA will cover the costs involved and the teams at Top Vets in Kaitaia and the Mog and Dog Desexing Clinic in Whangārei will carry out the procedures.

“Pets can be great companions and support people’s wellbeing, which is why Kāinga Ora is a pet-friendly landlord and happy to consider applications from customers who want to have pets in their home,” says Jordan Seymour, Manager Housing and Wellbeing Support for Northland.

“We have a partnership with SPCA because we want to encourage our customers to be responsible pet owners. Getting pets desexed is a responsible thing to do, but the costs can be a barrier for some of our customers because they are living on very low incomes.

“When SPCA approached us about taking part in a campaign aimed at getting more cats and dogs in Northland desexed, we were keen to jump onboard because we know some of our properties do have large numbers of un-desexed cats and dogs.

“With SPCA covering the cost of desexing for our customers pets, we’re hoping to avoid the problems caused by unwanted litters,’’ says Jordan.

Over the coming weeks, Top Vets in Kaitaia will desex up to 200 cats and 200 dogs belonging to local Kāinga Ora customers, and a similar number of cats and dogs from Kāinga Ora homes in Whangārei will be desexed by the Mog and Dog Desexing Clinic. Pets receiving the surgeries will also be microchipped at no cost.

“We’re pleased to be able to team up with Kāinga Ora to offer these important services to pet owners who may be struggling,” says Rebecca Dobson, National Desexing Programme Manager at SPCA. “Desexing is vital in bringing down the number of unwanted animals in these communities, and we know cost is often a barrier for pet owners especially during a cost-of-living crisis.

“We’re also covering the costs of microchipping, as we believe it’s an important part of responsible pet ownership. Microchipping gives pets the best possible chance at being reunited with their families if they’re ever lost,” says Ms Dobson.

For more information

Page updated: 17 October 2024

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Kāinga Ora has purchased the five two-bedroom homes in Richmond, near Nelson, from developer NZ Housing Group now that construction has been completed. They are among 27 new homes Kāinga Ora has delivered in Richmond in the past year.

Julia Campbell, Regional Director Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast, says people on the Ministry of Social Development housing register who have specifically requested to move to Richmond will soon move into these homes.

“Now that we’ve purchased the homes, we’ve begun the process of placing people into them. We’re expecting all the homes to be tenanted in the next couple of weeks.”

Ms Campbell says the homes are in a sought-after location, with shops, schools and other services all nearby. “We’re looking forward to welcoming customers into their new homes, and to supporting them and their whānau as they settle into the area,” she says.

Construction of the new homes began in April this year. Construction is also continuing on six new two-bedroom homes in Oxford Street in Richmond, which Kāinga Ora has agreed to purchase when they are completed at the end of this year. 

Page updated: 10 October 2024

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Kāinga Ora homes in the little town just south of Auckland are amongst the hundreds of older state houses across New Zealand being extensively refurbished as part of our Retrofit Programme. The programme is designed to make our homes warmer, drier and healthier, places that tenants are proud to call home.

“When we walked in, we were like ‘Wow!’” recalls Eteta. “We already love living in Tuakau because it’s quiet and safe, the kids can walk to school, and I can walk to work. Now the house looks brand new – and we love it!

Eteta and her partner Alexander are especially happy that their kitchen-dining area has been opened up because now there’s space for the young family to eat together. The bathroom has been reconfigured too, and the home has new windows, doors and a heat pump, making it cosy for winter. In addition, the house has fresh paint, new carpets and improved layouts in the kitchen and bathroom.

Just along the road from Eteta’s whānau is customer Beverly. She loves her renovated home so much that she wants to buy it.

“If I won the lottery, I’d buy this house. It’s beautiful now and I’m so proud of it.”

Beverly’s home, a three-bedroom weatherboard and tile house, dates back to 1983 before open-plan living was popular and it’s been reconfigured to create a more spacious kitchen-dining area.

“I absolutely love the kitchen; there’s more storage space and it’s very easy to clean. That means a lot to me because I have heart problems and limited mobility.”

Amazingly, it’s the third time Beverly has lived in this particular house. The first time was when it was new and she was a young mother; the next time was when she returned to the area with older children, and most recently she moved back after the retrofit.

“All my family’s memories are in this home. We know all our neighbours and we just love it here. I’m so happy about how smart my house looks now.

“It’s also a big relief to know the power bills will be lower now. We used to bring our mattresses into the lounge at night to save on the heating, but we don’t have to do that anymore. The house is much warmer.”

Retrofitting includes full insulation, double glazing and improved air tightness, making homes fit for a further 50 years’ use.

It can be more efficient and sustainable to retrofit rather than build new, making use of existing materials rather than demolishing and building new homes.

And it supports tenants’ wellbeing by enabling them to stay in their homes and communities, in warmer and drier conditions.

Page updated: 7 October 2024

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“We’re going to dig a garden out back. I bought a lemon tree the other day and I have a couple of camellia trees. We’re also going to have to paint our picnic table. It’s a beautiful garden,” Michelle says.

The couple, both of whom live with significant health conditions, recently moved to their new home with their 10-year-old and 13-year-old sons, Sparkle the dog and Simon the cat from another Kāinga Ora home in Greymouth, where they had lived for 20 years.

Michelle and Ché’s new home was significantly improved and upgraded as part of the Kāinga Ora retrofit programme, which aims to make older homes warmer, drier, healthier and more energy efficient.

After waiting for a larger home that would better suit their family for some time, Michelle says she’s over the moon to now live in an upgraded three-bedroom home. 

“We can actually breathe. The kids have their own space and we have a much bigger area that suits us,” Michelle says.

The family is also excited about exploring their new neighbourhood after moving from central Greymouth to Cobden. “The neighbours are lovely and we’re close to the beach. We’re going to the beach at the weekend. Letting the waves just wash over our feet is great for our mental health. My son loves collecting stones and sticks so he’ll do that,” Michelle explains.

Keen fisherman Ché is also looking forward to surfcasting off the beach. “I do a lot of fishing around here. Whitebaiting, kawai fishing and I do trout fishing in the Grey River,” he says.

Michelle says they are already counting down to Christmas with extended family in their new, more spacious home. “I can’t wait to put up the Christmas tree and I can decorate it any time. I’m so thankful for this house. This is a home that I’m happy to live in.”

Page updated: 3 October 2024

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