Category: New Zealand Government

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2025 Pacific Judicial Conference

Source: New Zealand Governor General

Rau rangatira mā, e huihui nei, tēnei aku mihi nui ki a koutou. Nau mai haere mai ki Te Whare Kawana o Tāmaki Makaurau. Kia ora tātou katoa.

I’d like to specifically acknowledge: Rt Hon Dame Helen Winkelmann, Chief Justice of New Zealand, and Rt Hon Winston Peters, Deputy Prime Minister.

And to all our very distinguished international guests here this evening – including representatives from 15 Pacific Island nations, as well as Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, the Philippines, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. I’m delighted to note that Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia, The Honourable Debra Mortimer, is in fact a New Zealander from Kaipara.

I understand that the last Pacific Judicial Conference to be held in Aotearoa New Zealand was over ten years ago, in 2014, when my predecessor, Sir Jerry Mateparae, hosted an equivalent gathering here at Government House Auckland. It feels especially fitting that this conference should return to Tāmaki Makaurau, this beautiful city, and one of the world’s most diverse, which has long borne the mantle of Polynesian Capital of the World.

Such a diverse and distinguished gathering no doubt brings with you an immense breadth of experiences, perspectives, and areas of legal expertise.

It was former American Chief Justice, Earl Warren, who once said: ‘It is the spirit and not the form of the law that keeps justice alive.’ As leaders of your respective and highly-diverse judiciaries, I’m sure you find yourselves grappling with many of the same issues: safeguarding judicial independence and respect for the rule of law; the opportunities and dangers of technology; ensuring diversity within the judiciary; geopolitical unrest; and the ongoing existential threat of climate change – all topics I’m heartened to note on the agenda for this conference.

Its overarching theme, ‘Strengthening the Institution of the Judiciary – Kia Tū Pakari ai te Whare Whakawā’, feels particularly apt in the face of such issues – acknowledging, as it does, that without strong and trusted public institutions, society loses its capacity to meet and overcome these challenges.

I trust that these days together afford an environment conducive to rich and challenging discussions, and lay the foundation for lasting relationships and productive collaboration across your judiciaries.

Throughout my own career, straddling both academia and the public sector, I recall how enriching and rewarding I found these kinds of gatherings – leaving me so often deeply inspired, and filled with a renewed sense of purpose as I returned to my role, whether leading a university, or advocating for the wellbeing of children and families.

In this next stage of my career, serving as New Zealand’s Governor-General, I have found myself with my own responsibilities in the application and safeguarding of New Zealand law: responsibilities I hold most sacred. They have also given me a new and profound appreciation for the judiciary, and the demanding work you do in the service of society.

The questions that you contend with fundamentally shape the world we inhabit and share: determining whether or not our societies are fair; whether or not people are treated equally, regardless of gender or beliefs or background; and whether or not our planet will survive.

I acknowledge, in grappling with these questions through the application of the law and your own scrupulous intellectual and moral standards, the great and often lonely responsibility you each bear. However, I have little doubt that you view that responsibility, and your service to your respective countries, not as a burden, but a privilege.

In te reo Māori, we have a whakataukī, or a proverb, which says: ‘Ka kuhu au ki te ture, hei matua mō te pani. I seek refuge in the law for it is a parent to the oppressed.’ I wish to take this opportunity to thank you, for all that you do as parents of the oppressed, and our societies’ upholders of goodness, fairness, and justice.

I also wish to once again thank Dame Helen – our own outstanding Chief Justice – for so graciously stepping into the Administrator’s role whenever I have been fulfilling my vice-regal duties overseas.

To those of you visiting New Zealand for the first time, I hope you have the opportunity to experience a little more of our country while you are here, and to spend some time exploring this beautiful city. In the meantime, I wish you all a most rewarding and enjoyable few days.

Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa.

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11 February 2025 Kāinga Ora tackles rent debt As part of its reset, Kāinga Ora is changing its approach to managing rent debt to speed up repayment and address some historic issues. Chief Executive Matt Crockett outlines the changes that are being made and the reasons for them.

Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora

Over the past 12 months, our frontline teams have been working with tenants to reduce their rent debt. This has resulted in total rent debt falling from $21.6 million in January 2024 to $16.1 million at the same time this year.

But we want the amount owed to fall faster and to make sure we keep rent debt down in the future. So we are making changes as part of the broader reset of Kāinga Ora to address this.

New policy

We’re going to reduce debt by taking a firmer approach with tenants who are behind on their rent. We will be fair and reasonable – but rent must be paid.

We will continue to support households who fall on hard times but are making genuine attempts to get back on track with their rent. We’re a social housing landlord so that’s the right thing to do.

But, through our new rent debt policy, we are drawing a line on how patient we can be. We don’t want to end tenancies, but we will if tenants are not meeting their obligations to reduce their rent debt, are skipping rent payments or refusing to work with us.

We’re also taking action to prevent large debts in future. Our new approach seeks to ensure that tenants will not have accumulated more than 12 weeks’ worth of rent debt when their tenancy is ended. This means we will begin the process of ending a tenancy earlier than in the past. This provides clarity about what will happen, and when, to both our tenants and our frontline.

Partial debt forgiveness

A small number of Kāinga Ora tenants – less than 3% – have accumulated more than 12 weeks’ worth of rent debt. There are a range of reasons for this, including social and economic events over the past five years and the steps Kāinga Ora took to respond to government policy, particularly during the pandemic.

We’re going to help those tenants get on top of their rent debt faster by reducing the amount owed to a level that is more realistic for them to repay in full. We’ll only do this for tenants who are consistently paying their rent and making reasonable payments to reduce their debt. In return for this one-off help, tenants must continue reducing their debt.

This will provide a clear incentive to tenants who are not currently meeting their obligations to change their behaviour and speed up repaying what they owe. If they consistently do this, they will be eligible to have part of their debt forgiven. But if they do not, we will take steps to end their tenancy.

We expect to forgive up to $8.3 million of the $16.17 million we’re owed. This is already provisioned for on our balance sheets as it is regarded as doubtful debt, so there will be no impact on our financial performance.

We think this is the right thing to do. The likelihood of collecting all this debt is low, given the time it will take tenants to pay it off and the significant costs associated with chasing it. We’re also conscious that during the pandemic the steps we took to respond to government policy meant we didn’t chase debt in the way we normally would, so we carry a measure of responsibility.

We’re being pragmatic. We think we’re better off focusing on recovering the remaining debt faster and ensuring current tenants do not get into too much debt.

All tenants whose debt is reduced will still have a significant amount to repay. And they’ll have a strong incentive to do this under our new policy, which it makes it clear we will end tenancies if tenants do not meet their rent obligations.

Looking ahead

It’s important we strike the right balance between supporting households in difficult circumstances and ensuring that our tenants meet their obligations. We will be closely monitoring the impact of both the new rent debt policy and partial rent debt forgiveness to ensure we have the right balance. If necessary, we will make further adjustments.

Page updated: 11 February 2025

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Waitangi Day Address at Ōnuku Marae

Source: New Zealand Governor General

Kei aku rangatira o Ngāi Tahu, tēnā koutou. Nāu rā te karanga, kia haramai ahau, i tēnei rā o Waitangi. Nāu anō te tino mōhio, ki te manaaki tangata. Nā reira aku mihi nui. Tēnā koutou katoa.

I wish to specifically acknowledge: the Right Honourable Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister; the Right Honourable Gerry Brownlee, Speaker of the House of Representatives; Rear Admiral Mathew Williams, Vice Chief of Defence Force; Tā Tipene O’Regan, Member of the Order of New Zealand; Mr Justin Tipa, Chair of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, and your wider iwi leadership team; Mr Riki Tainui, representative for Ōnuku Rūnanga, and all representatives and whānau from Papatipu Rūnanga across Te Waipounamu.

And, finally, to all distinguished guests, including representatives from central and local government, and all who have travelled to be here today – tēnā koutou katoa.

Thank you for inviting me and my husband, Dr Davies, to Ōnuku, this beautiful place, to join with you in commemorating Waitangi Day this year. I know that the last Governor-General to attend commemorations at Ōnuku was my predecessor, Dame Patsy Reddy, six years ago, and I am honoured to be here today, in this very special part of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Standing in this place, bearing, as it does, such deep history, and looking out at this harbour, of such astonishing beauty, I cannot help but be reminded of the whakataukī: ‘Whatungarongaro te tangata toitū te whenua. As people disappear from sight, the land remains.’

I stand here and I think of those moments so significant in the history of Ngāi Tahu, Te Waipounamu, and Aotearoa, that have taken place here, on this whenua. I picture the HMS Herald entering Akaroa Harbour on the 28th of May 1840, and of Edward Williams and William Stewart coming ashore to explain the document they carried.

In the following days, your tupuna surely gave deep consideration to what this Treaty might mean for Ngāi Tahu: for their tamariki and mokopuna, and for future generations – many of whom are gathered here today. I imagine Iwihau and Hone Tīkao returning to this place, on the 30th of May 1840, and signing that seventh sheet of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Of course, it was also here, 158 years later, that the then Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Jenny Shipley, standing where I am now, delivered the Crown’s apology to Ngāi Tahu – expressing profound regret for the Government’s breaches of Te Tiriti in its dealings with your iwi, and initiating the process of redress and healing.

I wholeheartedly commend Ngāi Tahu for all that you’ve achieved in these intervening years. You continue to be great leaders, collaborators, and champions, not only for this region, but for all of New Zealand – across the spheres of education and agriculture; business and the arts; innovation and sustainability – and working always with the vision, generosity, and enterprise for which your iwi is so rightly renowned.

On that note, I wish to take this opportunity to again acknowledge Tā Tipene O’Regan. It has truly been one of the great honours of my term as Governor-General to present you, Tā Tipene, with your Order of New Zealand – our country’s highest civilian honour – for all you’ve done for Ngāi Tahu, and for Aotearoa.

It was the author and former Governor-General of Canada, John Buchan, who said: ‘The task of leadership is not to put greatness into humanity, but to elicit it, for the greatness is already there.’ Thank you, on behalf of all New Zealanders, Tā Tipene, for the clarity, intelligence, and selflessness of your leadership, and the greatness you have elicited through your service over so many years.

Across all its endeavours, Ngāi Tahu continues to seek the very best outcomes for your people, and for this precious land. I was deeply impressed by your Climate Change Strategy, emphasising, as it does, not only the urgency of the issues, but a model for principled, collective action in facing them.

Perhaps most profoundly, it speaks to those often-neglected facts: that we are each a part of the natural world – and that, in the irreversible degradation and loss of the environment around us, we are, in turn, losing some deep and irreplaceable part of ourselves – inhabiting and sharing this beautiful, fragile earth which is our only home.

I was moved to find that the pou in this whare behind me represent not only rangatira from the Banks Peninsula, but from across the country – including my own tupuna. In doing so, it stands beautifully for the way that, no matter where we may be from, we are bound together as people of Aotearoa: for the enduring nature of the relationship we share, enshrined in our Treaty.

In such a way, I believe Te Tiriti o Waitangi to be this nation’s taonga: a gift given to us by our tupuna, and our guiding light towards a vision of nationhood conceived, debated, and pledged, at Waitangi, Ōnuku, and across Aotearoa.

As our minds begin to turn towards 2040, the bicentenary of Te Tiriti, and to the long-term future of this country, it is our rangatahi who will lead us there, guided by our elders. I urge us to do all we can to empower them – to be examples in the way we conduct ourselves; to hold onto our own youthful sense of hope and purpose; and to be there for each other, in the spirit of understanding, goodness, and grace with which our Treaty was signed, here, 185 years ago.

In this, our national project, I can think of no better guiding principle than the few, very simple lines of New Zealand poet, Jenny Bornholdt:

Always refer back
to the heart.
It is where
the world 
began.

My sincerest thanks once again to Ngāi Tahu for inviting and hosting us so graciously and generously here today. I wish you all the very best for the rest of your day of celebrations, and for your hopes and aspirations for these years ahead.

He ao te rangi ka uhia, he huruhuru, te manu ka tau. Tēnā tatau katoa.

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Opening of He Kura Toi Tangata: 50 years of the Waitangi Tribunal

Source: New Zealand Governor General

Toitū Kāhui tangata

Ka Haea te ata,

ka Hāpara te ata

Ka korokī te manu

Ka wairori te kutu

Ko te ata nui, ka horaina

Ka Taki te umere,

He po, he po, he ao

ka awatea.

E koro, ….Matiu,

Kua tatū mai ō rahi ki te whakanui i te kaupapa o te rā, arā , Te Taraipiunara o Waitangi rima te kau tau ki muri, whakaara mai ai.

Hoki wairua mai!, Hoki wairua mai!

Hoki wairua mai!

Koutou, tātou kua tatū mai i runga i te reo karanga o te rā,

Tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa

[Be alert for this is a gathering of great significance. As the dawn breaks, and we hear the birds call, we move from the time of darkness to the new era of enlightenment. Each new dawn enables us to embrace new knowledge, to be inspired by the possibilities that rise in front of us.

Matiu(Rata) We have arrived to celebrate 50 years of the Waitangi Tribunal, which was begun under your watch. Return in spirit to embrace your people, as we celebrate its journey.]

To one and all gathered here today, greetings.

I specifically acknowledge:

Distinguished members of the judiciary, including the Honourable Chief Justice Helen Winkelmann, Chief Justice of New Zealand, and

The Honourable Chief Justice Debra Mortimer, Chief Justice of the Federal Court of Australia,

Ministers of the Crown,

Members of Parliament,

Ngati Kawa, Ngati Rahiri, Ngati Hine and Ngati Kuri representatives,

Bishop Te Kitohi Pikaahu and Dame Claudia Orange.

I am truly honoured to take part in the opening of this exhibition commemorating the first 50 years of the Waitangi Tribunal.

How fitting that He Kura Toi Tangata begin its tour of Aotearoa here in Waitangi – te pito te whenua – where Te Tiriti, the foundational document for the Tribunal’s work, was conceived in its English and te reo Māori iterations – and was signed by rangatira, as well as my earliest antecedent in this role, Captain William Hobson.

Kō ngā tahu ā ō tapuwai inanahi, hei tauira mō āpōpō. The footsteps laid down by our ancestors create the paving stones upon which we stand today.

Retrospectives challenge us to consider and compare how we were in the past, with how we are today. This exhibition will prompt us to reflect on the impacts and achievements of the Waitangi Tribunal over the past 50 years, and the ways they are woven through our story as a nation.

From its small beginnings; to the gradual additions to its powers, Members and support staff; to its ground-breaking reports – the Tribunal has become a vital forum for the airing of concerns about a wide range of issues; for the seeking of redress for past wrongs; and for exploring the meaning of Te Tiriti as it pertains to the contemporary world.

The Tribunal has achieved so much, whether it be in greater public awareness of Te Tiriti and te ao Māori, in contributions to legislative development and new institutions, and of course, in the Treaty Settlement process.

Tonight, I particularly want to pay homage to those claimants who spent many decades of their lives toiling on behalf of their hapu or iwi – often at great personal cost – and sometimes not living long enough to see the resolution of those claims.

In addition, I want to acknowledge all who have been involved in working with the Tribunal, including those behind the scenes. Sir Doug Graham observed that the Treaty Settlements in the 1990s would not have been possible without the Tribunal’s research and deliberations – which, incidentally, included research undertaken by our current Minister of Justice, the Honourable Paul Goldsmith, during his time with the Tribunal. The research done by, and presented to the Tribunal over its 50 years is an immensely valuable resource for all New Zealanders.

On behalf of the people of New Zealand, I thank Members – past and present – for their willingness to grapple with complex histories and contentious issues, and to make recommendations that have often been at the leading edge of the practical application of te Tiriti.  As Sir Doug said: “They have done their country proud”.

I hope the more difficult moments were balanced by moments of intense satisfaction – whether it be enabling histories to be heard and recorded for posterity – or providing a forum for debate about emerging societal, cultural or environmental issues.

There is so much to learn from the lessons of history uncovered during the Tribunal process. The Tribunal’s recommendations have, in turn, become part of the historical record.

If Matiu Rata could have been with us tonight, how proud he would have been to celebrate his legacy with you all – and to honour the people who played their part in taking the Waitangi Tribunal forward on its journey.

Congratulations to everyone here tonight who has been involved in the Tribunal process to date, as well as all those involved in the making of this powerful and timely exhibition. I am delighted to now formally open He Kura Toi Tangata: 50 years of the Waitangi Tribunal, 1975-2025. 

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4 February 2025 Kāinga Ora refocusing on its core mission Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities is refocusing on its core mission of providing and managing quality social housing for New Zealanders in need.

Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora

Simon Moutter, Board Chair

“Our focus as a key contributor to New Zealand’s social housing eco-system is on providing safe, warm, dry homes for those in need and acting as a good, supportive landlord to tenants and communities, while ensuring the agency’s long-term financial sustainability,’’ says Board Chair Simon Moutter.

“Kāinga Ora is the largest social housing landlord in the country, and it is important we look after our homes and tenants and serve our communities well. We are looking forward to working alongside other Community Housing Providers to ensure that New Zealanders in need get stable and supportive housing.

“Our new plan for Kainga Ora, which the government has approved, outlines a clear path forward for the agency as a responsible social housing landlord who is fair but firm, and invests in the state housing stock in a financially sustainable way,’’ Mr Moutter says.

Over the two years to 30 June 2026, Kāinga Ora will be adding 2,650 new homes to the state housing stock, as well as renewing almost 3,000 homes.

“Because of New Zealand’s long history of providing social housing, many of our state homes are old and getting to their end of their life. It is important that we invest in renewing these homes so we can continue the legacy of providing good quality state housing,’’ Mr Moutter says.

The key elements of the new plan for Kāinga Ora are:

  • A renewed focus on core mission: Over time, Kāinga Ora will narrow its focus on providing and managing social housing in a financially sustainable way.
  • Improved tenancy management: Changes are being made to tenancy management and more use is being made of the Residential Tenancies Act to ensure better outcomes for both tenants and communities. A key part of this will be ensuring tenants are in the right type of home at the right time, with the right support in place.
  • Improved housing portfolio and build management: We are changing our maintenance strategies to ensure we look after our homes, while also investing in the progressive renewal of our older homes. Build costs will be reduced so they are more in line with the market.
  • Improved organisational performance, with a focus on cost effectiveness: Changes are being made to right-size the organisation and ensure value for money.
  • Improved financial sustainability: As key cost-saving initiatives are embedded, Kāinga Ora’s financial sustainability will significantly improve.

Find out more about the plan for Kāinga Ora.

Page updated: 4 February 2025

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Pōwhiri at Te Whare Rūnanga, Waitangi 2025

Source: New Zealand Governor General

Mai i te kore, ki te pō,

ki te ao marama,

ko te ara o te tika,

ko te ara o te pono tēnā

e kōkiri mō te whakatipuranga

ō āpōpō.

He aha tēnā o ngā oāti

e whakapono atu nei e tatou,

e te iwi.

Hākoa te kaupapa e pikau atu nei,

me kawe i roto i te aroha, i te ture,

me te whakapono.

Maranga mai e te iwi

E ngā hapu mano tini

Ma te atua tatou te iwi e arāhī!

Kei āku nui

Kei āku rahi

Tena koutou

Tena koutou

Tena tatou katoa

Tau ana!

[From the nothingness, to the night, to the world of light, of understanding

We seek the pathway that is right

We seek the pathway of truth

In the faith that the legacy we leave is for the now and the future generations.

Whatever the kaupapa at hand, we must, seek the truth, with compassion, and with conviction and with belief.

Arise e te iwi

Arise e ngā hapu

May we be guided by the creator

To the assembled multitudes

Greetings to one and all.]

Few places in Aotearoa New Zealand can match the complex legacy of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. As a wāhine Māori with whakapapa to the people of this place – and as the 37th person to serve as Governor or Governor-General – I am deeply connected and committed to this whenua and te pito o te whenua – and it is my privilege to speak here, on this, our nation’s marae.

When James Busby constructed his house here in 1833, these grounds were an isolated outpost of British influence. Two years later, he joined my tupuna here at the signing of He Whakaputanga – and in 1840, it became the place where two peoples – of very different world views – committed themselves to a new kind of relationship in Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

By 1932, these grounds – like the Treaty itself – were neglected and largely ignored by the powers that be. When Lord Bledisloe was brought here, and heard the history, he resolved to buy the property and gift it to the nation, so that it could become a place of pilgrimage for all New Zealanders.

To enable both signatories to be represented on these grounds, Sir Āpirana Ngata led the construction of Te Whare Runanga – to complement the Treaty House and represent the iwi Māori of Aotearoa.

This taumata was to be where the signatories of Te Tiriti could meet in dialogue. It has continued to play a role in growing our relationship.

The 1940 Waitangi centenary commemorations have gifted us an iconic image of Sir Āpirana Ngata, leading a vigorous haka in celebration of the opening of Te Whare Runanga. It so perfectly captures his passion to revive pride in Māoritanga. His efforts, along with that of countless others, have borne fruit in the 21st century with the revival of te reo Māori, celebration of waiata and kapa haka with Te Matatini, and te Ao Māori reflected in film, literature, music, and performance.

In 1835, our tipuna who signed He Whakaputanga wanted to consolidate their ability to be successful producers, entrepreneurs and traders. A century later, Sir Apirana Ngata was also driven to develop a stronger economic base for iwi Māori, with his vision of wellbeing and prosperity in all facets of life.

As guardians of these grounds, the Waitangi National Trust Board has helped generations of New Zealanders to better understand the impact of our history, most recently in the two magnificent museums on this site. The new exhibition at The Museum of Waitangi Te Kongahu – He Kura Toi Tangata, which marks 50 years since the Waitangi Tribunal was established, reminds us of the histories uncovered during the Tribunal’s enquiries, the impact of its work, and its many achievements.

So many of us will have vivid memories of times spent here. We feel the wairua of those who have stood and spoken and are no longer with us – and in time, we too will become part of the story of the Treaty Grounds.

Whatungarongaro te tangata, toitū te whenua.

Our mokopuna will continue the work of our tupuna and I am confident they will be better placed than my generation to take up the mantle of responsibility. They are hopefully better informed by history, they understand the need to care for the planet, and they are more used to living with complex identities in the 21st century.

Let us therefore reflect on our journey in this beautiful country at Waitangi, and our part in its ongoing legacy.

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31 January 2025 Twelve inner city apartments for Napier Situated on Wellesley Road, they are the first three-storey apartments close to the central city that Kāinga Ora has delivered in many years. Now they are completed, whānau will start moving in.

Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora

They were recently blessed by local kaikarakia along with another seven homes in nearby Onekawa. The seven homes on Taradale Road are single story, two-bedroom homes and are on a main arterial route, close to schools and workplaces.

Naomi Whitewood Regional Director East North Island says “We are looking forward to welcoming another 19 whānau into new homes in the next couple of weeks. We know that having a warm, dry place to call home can make such a huge difference to people’s lives.

“There is a strong demand for housing in Napier including demand for homes close to the central city. The modern three-storey apartments on Wellesley Road address this need and contribute to future apartment living options in Napier city.

“We take a careful approach to matching homes to whānau requiring a home of that size and location with consideration of the neighbouring community.

In Wellesley Road, the apartments are within walking distance of the central city including supermarkets and health services. This was an important consideration when purchasing the development and matching people to the apartments.

Napier is an area of focus in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development’s Public Housing Plan. It has a significant housing need in relation to population size.

Progress is being made, with 755 people moved into a Kāinga Ora house last year. This includes 261 tamariki who moved into a long-term home from unsuitable housing. “We continue to focus on ensuring our mokopuna have a healthy, long-term place in which to grow.” 

In the last four years 221 homes were delivered by Kāinga Ora in Napier and 610 in the wider Hawkes Bay. This includes 15 homes in Onekawa that were completed in December just in time for whanau to move in before Christmas.

Currently another 152 new social houses are planned to be delivered for Kāinga Ora in Napier. Of these, 101 houses are expected to be delivered in 2025, and 51 in 2026.

Page updated: 31 January 2025

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30 January 2025 Kāinga Ora invites wool sector to submit proposals for carpet supply Kāinga Ora is now offering both wool and nylon carpet providers the opportunity to tender for the supply of carpet and underlay in its homes.

Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora

Having used nylon carpet for more than a decade, the agency is opening up its recent Request for Proposal (RFP) to wool carpet suppliers also, allowing a direct price and offering comparison.

Chief Executive Matt Crockett says Kāinga Ora has traditionally used solution dyed nylon carpet due to its durability and price.

“Kāinga Ora owns and maintains more than 75,000 homes throughout New Zealand. Over the two years to 30 June 2026, we are adding a further 2,650 new homes to our portfolio and will be significantly renovating or replacing another 3,000 existing homes.

“It’s important the products and materials used in these properties are fit for purpose, durable and cost-effective to ensure value for money. These will continue to be our key assessment criteria when we compare supplier proposals.

“This RFP is an opportunity for us to retest market pricing for both wool and nylon carpet offerings, as part of a robust procurement process. This approach gives all suppliers the fair chance to put their best proposals forward, and we look forward to seeing what they can offer.”

Kāinga Ora has informed suppliers that it is closing its current procurement process and will be reissuing a new RFP inviting submissions from both wool and nylon carpet suppliers.

The new RFP will be released to the market via the Government Electronic Tender Service.

Page updated: 30 January 2025

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30 January 2025 How the healing power of a home has given Matt his voice Moving into a Kāinga Ora home has been such a game-changer for Matt that just three months on he’s regained the ability to speak.

Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora

It’s an extraordinary development, more than anyone expected, and one that Matt firmly attributes to the healing power of home and family.

A year ago, Matt was left paralysed from cancer treatment. It was a devastating blow made worse by the fact he couldn’t return home as there was no wheelchair access. The only accommodation that could be found for him was a room in an Auckland retirement home, a very long way from his wife and daughters in the Waikato.

Wife Pene says it was a dark time for the whole family. “We missed each other, and I could see Matt was getting depressed because he couldn’t do much for himself.”

The turning point came in a call from Kāinga Ora; an accessible family home with flat access, wide doorways and a wetroom had become available in Takaanini, South Auckland.

“We were over the moon,” says Pene. “It really was a dream come true. I met the occupational therapist (OT) at the house to ensure it would be suitable then I went straight to Matt to tell him the good news.”

Kāinga Ora Wellbeing Advisor Angeline had coordinated with all stakeholders involved in Matt’s care to aid the search for a suitable home – his social worker, OT and physiotherapist, ACC and the rest home where he was staying.

“Where there are multiple agencies involved, it’s important to take a holistic approach to ensure customers’ needs are met,” she says.

“It was also very lucky that the right home, in the right location became available as it’s often a challenge to find a property that ticks all the right boxes for a whanau with accessibility needs.

“I know Matt and his whānau had endured a long separation, so it was a pleasure to see them reconnect as a whānau unit in their new home.”

“We’re so happy to be back together and it’s had an incredible effect on my physical health,” says Matt.

“My OT and physiotherapist are amazed by how well I’ve progressed since moving in here; I’ve even regained some movement in my legs.

“All the little things like being together and being able to do normal family stuff feels amazing. I used to feel hopeless for myself and worried about my family not having the security of a permanent home.

“Thinking back to where we were a year ago makes me realise how good life is now. I don’t have the words to accurately describe how grateful I feel, it’s overwhelming, but I know I have been blessed.”

Pene says opening the door to their new home “was like the sun coming out and showing us the way out of the dark. Honestly, we’re ecstatically happy to have a home and be together, soaking up the time we have together.”

Page updated: 30 January 2025

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29 January 2025 A new home for a new year The new 29 one-bedroom apartment social housing development in Nelson is ready to welcome Kāinga Ora customers.

Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora

Local iwi this week blessed the new three-storey development in Waimea Road in Nelson South, which was built by local developer JV Properties Limited. Neighbours and other local stakeholders also had the chance to look through the homes before customers move in.

Julia Campbell, Regional Director Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast, says people from the social housing register who have been waiting for a one-bedroom home will begin moving into the new development from early February. Some of the people moving in will now have a permanent place to call home after living in transitional housing for some time.

This, and other trees, that were already on the property were retained as part of the new development.

“Most of the people who are on the social housing register and in need of a place to live in Nelson are waiting for a one-bedroom home, so the completion of this development is a significant milestone,” Ms Campbell says.

“Our specialist placement team has thought very carefully about who will live in these homes. During pre-housing conversations, we have spoken to prospective customers about their connections to the community and any support they may need to live well in their new home in the future.

“Our team will continue to support everyone who will be living there to settle in well over the coming weeks and months. Local transitional housing providers will also continue to work with the people who are moving in from transitional housing,” she says.

Construction of the new development began in October 2023. Kāinga Ora has an agreement with JV Properties Limited to purchase the homes upon completion. It expects to settle on the purchase of the homes this week.

There are currently another 36 Kāinga Ora homes under construction in Nelson Tasman, including six homes in Oxford Street in Richmond and 26 new homes in Neale Avenue in Stoke, all of which Kāinga Ora has agreed to purchase from developers when they are completed. Four homes are also under redevelopment in Boundary Road in Nelson.

See our Nelson region for more information.

The new Waimea Road homes and a communal outdoor area

Page updated: 29 January 2025