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After suffering life-changing injuries in a serious car accident, Jayne needed a home with wheelchair access and space for her healthcare equipment.

Before, the family of four – Jayne, Wiremu and their teenage sons – had been staying in a drafty garage belonging to extended family as they couldn’t find a rental with wheelchair access.

“When we were shown this place, we were like, ‘Oh my gosh! This is amazing!’’ recalls Jayne’s partner, Wiremu. “It’s such a far cry from the conditions we were living in. We feel incredibly fortunate.”

In the family’s new home, there’s space to comfortably accommodate Jayne’s “smart bed” – a bed that can self-adjust to users’ needs – and her bathroom is designed for wheelchair users.

Although her accident left her unable to walk or talk, she can communicate using hi-tech aids, and Wiremu is a skilled interpreter. He’s also taken on responsibility for Jayne’s 24-7 care.

“Moving here has improved all our lives exponentially. It’s like night and day from where we were to where we are, like being on another planet. The boys have their own personal spaces and Jayne can do so much more.”

The open-plan living spaces are easy for Jayne to navigate, and the entrance and garden access is flat and smooth. At last, she can go out on her own.

“It’s so nice for Jayne to have her own space without the boys bowling in and out all day. There are no drafts or roller door going up and down all day which is much better for Jayne’s health.”

“We are so grateful and the change in our lives is unbelievable. We all have what we need and it’s a great basis for us to move forward as a family. “Says 17-year-old Trinity: “I love having my own room and it’s good to see Mum looking a lot happier. Life is 100% better for us now.”

Page updated: 3 September 2024

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With 29 new homes plus a community room, children’s playground and BBQ area the development was completed despite construction challenges.

Patrick Dougherty, General Manager for Construction & Innovation at Kāinga Ora says completion of this project is a credit to all the subcontractors involved.

“The teams removed seven old homes on the over 6,000m² development area and undertook a massive amount of civil works needed to prepare the land.

“Construction of the homes used a mix of the more traditional, onsite building methods for the three-, four- and five-bedroom homes; as well as offsite manufacturing for 18 two-bedroom apartments.

“Unfortunately, towards the end of this project, market conditions impacted the financial stability of the head contractor, resulting in the firm going into liquidation. It was a sad outcome but thankfully Kāinga Ora was able to intervene and continue development of the much-needed homes, ensuring subcontractors were paid and completing the homes just a few months later than originally planned.”

Civil works were completed by Everiss Civil. Steve Long, Director, explains “The site required major civil works, most of which were completed throughout winter months. Thousands of tonnes of material needed to be moved, and sourcing materials for the retaining walls was a challenge. Our team of ten worked hard to get through a number of issues, and we’re proud to be involved in delivering social housing. We wish the very best to the families who will be moving in.”

Kinetic Electrical provided all electrical services, supplying and manufacturing commercial switchboards and assisting with design on electrical disciplines. With a crew of six, the team had sole charge of all the electrical disciplines from fire, security and home fit outs. Owner Jamie Greentree says “The team worked hard to gain efficiencies, were given the opportunity to influence the build programme and dealt with issues quickly. There were many sleepless nights when we weren’t getting paid but once Kāinga Ora stepped in, I had confidence in a positive outcome.

“Overall, it’s been a great development to be involved in. Our apprentices were able to learn a lot and the scale of the job has meant our business has grown with confidence. The homes look great, and we wish the new tenants all the very best in their new homes – we hope they will be happy. We’re certainly proud of the role we’ve played.”    
 
Families will start moving in from mid-September.  

Page updated: 2 September 2024

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Designed for older people or those with health needs, the new one-bedroom units with accessible bathrooms will provide homes close to important amenities.

Patrick Dougherty, General Manager Construction & Innovation at Kāinga Ora says it is fantastic to see the apartment complex completed. “Construction of this project commenced at the same as time as the global COVID-19 pandemic,” he says.

“The development uses offsite manufactured units, built offsite in a factory, and is the largest social housing development Kāinga Ora has completed using this method of construction to deliver new state homes to kiwis in need.

“It is made up of three buildings with separate entrances and lobby areas, lift access to all levels, a community room complete with a kitchen, meeting room and gardens for residents to enjoy. With modern designs, the complex is stunning and will help create a sense of community for all who live there.

“The Auckland region has over 32,000 state houses, and apartment complexes like this mean important housing options for older people or those with mobility issues to live well in a central Auckland community.”

Kāinga Ora teams are working with the Ministry of Social Development to match prospective tenants to the new homes so people can move in shortly, once the road works in Pt Chevalier Road are completed.

Page updated: 30 August 2024

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Winners of Energy Project of the Year at the 2024 NZ Energy Excellence Awards, the programme is responsible for installing solar panels on hundreds of social housing homes, introducing new solar technology to the country and bringing a ground-breaking solar trading trial to the electricity market.

Backed by the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund, the programme is focusing on using social housing roof space to support increased renewable energy generation and reduce customers’ electricity bills.

Jenny Van der Merwe Kāinga Ora Renewable Energy Lead, says it’s rewarding to see the programme’s positive, long-term impact on both whānau and the sector.

“We’ve installed solar panels on 630 homes nationwide, providing annual savings of $350 – $1000 per year and enabling 2.9MW of solar generation capacity – enough to power around 500 homes,” she said.

“Added to this, we’ve introduced Allume SolShare technology to New Zealand, which enables solar on our complexes and multi-tenant buildings.

“SolShare directs energy to where the demand is, while ensuring an even distribution to all units within the building.

“It can increase solar consumption within buildings to around 50 per cent and, importantly, allows customers to stay with their preferred retailer.

“We’re proud that our work has given the industry several reference sites on different networks, enabling other New Zealand developers to install SolShare more easily from now on.”

Alex Baker Sustainability Director Kāinga Ora, says the team knew from the start that the real opportunity was being able to link all Kāinga Ora homes with solar panels into a single energy generation asset.

“This turned out to be a major challenge because harnessing solar in this way isn’t currently permitted in the electricity market,” he said.

“Through cross-industry and public-private innovation, we landed on a ground-breaking solution to this challenge, known as a multiple trading trial.

“The trial allows our customers to continue using as much solar energy as they can during the day. Kāinga Ora collects any energy not being used by the customer and sells it at a higher rate than they could get from their retailer. We can then use this revenue to help address energy hardship among other customers.

“If implemented, particularly at scale, this solution could be really impactful.

“It provides a valuable opportunity to explore ways to accelerate the uptake of renewable energy and make the electricity market more flexible and competitive – to the benefit of all New Zealanders.

“It’s taken a huge collaborative effort from our project partners to get this far, and we’re excited to share our progress with the industry as the trial moves through its first year.”

More information

The Kāinga Ora multiple trading trial is the first of its kind in New Zealand and involves 180 homes in Wellington. Key project partners include, Ara Ake, Wellington Electricity, Intellihub, Bluecurrent and Paua to the People. To enable the trial, the Electricity Authority has granted exemptions to our project partners.

The Allume SolShare system has been installed on Kāinga Ora apartments in Whangārei, Christchurch, and Hamilton, and will also be delivered in South Auckland in early 2025.

Page updated: 29 August 2024

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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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