Category: New Zealand Government

Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora

Kāinga Ora bought the new homes from developer, Soho Group, for use as social housing.

Graeme Broderick, Regional Director Taranaki/Whanganui/Manawatu, says the new homes will help meet the demand for social housing in New Plymouth, in line with the Public Housing Plan.

“We know the positive impact these homes will have on the people and smaller families matched to them and we’re excited to hand over the keys. The central location means the homes are close to everything our customers need in their day-to-day lives, such as shops, schools and recreational facilities.

“The community will play a big part in helping people settle into these new homes. We hope that local residents welcome our customers in the same way they would welcome any other person or family moving into a neighbourhood.’’

Mr Broderick says he is delighted the community space in the complex can be used by those living in the homes, as well as the wider community. The community space will be managed by the Taranaki YMCA.

“To enable vibrant community spaces, we must partner with other organisations. We will be engaging with our customers and community on the wellbeing and social outcomes they want to see unlocked in this new community space,” says Mr Broderick.

The Taranaki YMCA CEO Joanne Dusterhoft adds: “The shared community space will be used for various activities and programs to foster community engagement between Kāinga Ora customers and the inner-city community. Through the Taranaki YMCA’s network of other community organisations services, Kāinga Ora customers will also have access to a wide range of other resources to support their personal and professional development.”

“We look forward to building a stronger, more resilient community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive through this partnership.”

Ben Noone, Head of Project Delivery at Soho Group, says Soho is very proud of the Leach Street development, from site selection and the proximity to the heart of the city to the high-quality design of the building and landscaping features.

“Soho, along with local tradespeople, has delivered well-positioned, functional, warm, dry and comfortable homes for local whānau. Working alongside our contractors and supporting the local community and economy throughout the development was great. There were up to 60 people on-site at any given point, made up of around 30 local businesses.”

Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora

The church will be removed and ideally some parts of the church building, including the stained-glass windows, will be reused by people in the Hastings community.

The Presbyterian Church Property Trustees decided to sell the church site after the St Marks congregation dissolved three years ago. The Church is a 1960s Lockwood type building and is in poor condition.

St Andrews, Hastings has been looking after the building facilities. They, along with the Presbyterian Church, were keen to see the large, well-connected site used to house Hastings people in need.

The church knows from working with the community that there is a strong demand for social housing, says Reverend Jill McDonald.

“This is based on government data and anecdotal evidence from our congregation. We want to see homes built that that work well for the community and for the people and whānau who will call the new houses ‘home’.”

“Our community needs to make available safe and stable homes for those who do not have an appropriate place to live. Too many of our people are spending the cold winter months living in cars, tents, garages, and overcrowded homes.”

“God has a particular love for people who are struggling and longs for the flourishing of all people. We know that housing is key to that happening. That is why the church wanted to see this unused land repurposed for social housing.”

Removal of the church building and outbuildings will begin from 10 June, 2024.

Anyone interested in the stained glass windows or other parts of the church should contact Stefan Christie at Central Demolition stefan@centraldemolition.co.nz 

Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora

The church will be removed and ideally some parts of the church building, including the stained-glass windows, will be reused by people in the Hastings community.

The Presbyterian Church Property Trustees decided to sell the church site after the St Marks congregation dissolved three years ago. The Church is a 1960s Lockwood type building and is in poor condition.

St Andrews, Hastings has been looking after the building facilities. They, along with the Presbyterian Church, were keen to see the large, well-connected site used to house Hastings people in need.

The church knows from working with the community that there is a strong demand for social housing, says Reverend Jill McDonald.

“This is based on government data and anecdotal evidence from our congregation. We want to see homes built that that work well for the community and for the people and whānau who will call the new houses ‘home’.”

“Our community needs to make available safe and stable homes for those who do not have an appropriate place to live. Too many of our people are spending the cold winter months living in cars, tents, garages, and overcrowded homes.”

“God has a particular love for people who are struggling and longs for the flourishing of all people. We know that housing is key to that happening. That is why the church wanted to see this unused land repurposed for social housing.”

Removal of the church building and outbuildings will begin from 10 June, 2024.

Anyone interested in the stained glass windows or other parts of the church should contact Stefan Christie at Central Demolition stefan@centraldemolition.co.nz 

Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora

“What’s not to love?” Tony asks as he admires the green outlook of the nearby park. “I feel blessed to be here. My home, the park, being surrounded by nature – it’s bliss,” he says.

It’s the first Monday of the month, which means Tony is taking a short stroll from his home to the onsite community room for a regular committee meeting.

Tony is one of five Kāinga Ora customers, who put their hand up to help manage and run what is Northland’s first community room at a Kāinga Ora development.

Gifted the name ‘Taparoto’ by local hapu, the room is used for everything from baby showers, to birthday parties, community meetings and after school care.

“If you’d have told me a year ago, I’d be sitting here, looking out to this park and being a member of this committee, I wouldn’t have believed it,” he says.

Tony and the other committee members hold practical responsibilities for the room such as scheduling bookings, checking the room is left clean and tidy, restocking essentials, and ensuring keys are returned. They have also established a set of practical rules for use of the room, which everyone follows and respects.

In a show of true community spirit, Tony and his fellow committee members have also run a successful community-wide ‘meet your neighbours’ day. The event, which was loved by all who attended, included a bouncy castle, face painting, a bbq and games enjoyed by the kids and parents alike. 

“Having Taparoto and events like the neighbour’s day, means we’ve gotten to know each other really well. Before I just had neighbours, now, for the first time I feel like I’m part of a community,” says Tony.

“Just knowing each other’s names, talking to your neighbours, having the kids scooter past and say hi or stop to pat Keeber, it all builds trust,” he says.

Prior to becoming a Kāinga Ora customer, Tony and Keeber were stuck in unsuitable accommodation, which was starting to have serious health impacts.

“I didn’t realise how bad it was at first, but I just started feeling worse and worse. Physically and mentally – everything just started going downhill. I couldn’t think, I was hardly living.”

But hope came in the form of a phone call. A call from Kāinga Ora, offering Tony a warm, dry, brand-new home.

“A home is everything, trust me. It can change everything,” he says.

“My health started improving from the day I moved in and now I can think clearly again. I have the motivation to be part of each day.”

Zephyr Marshall, Northland’s Community Development Manager at Kāinga Ora, has been part of Taparoto since its inception and still attends every committee meeting in a support role.

The committee will often look to her for guidance which she is happy to give, but she’s also quick to remind them that community room decisions are theirs to make.

“From meeting to meeting I see their confidence grow. Being part of a committee is a real commitment and it’s been a pleasure to see their hard work turn into successful events that empower and improve this community,” she says.

“For me the success of the neighbour’s day demonstrated how a seemingly simple room, can be so much more. It can provide room to reflect, grow and come together.”

As this month’s committee meeting wraps up, Tony reflects on being in his home for close to a year.

“Living here and having access to Taparoto and the beautiful park where I walk Keeber – I feel cared for, and that has given me a sense of peace,” he says.

“For me, the honeymoon phase is over, and that’s a real good thing. Now I can do what I wanted to do all along, start living.”  

Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora

Students studying joinery at the Western Institute of Technology Taranaki (WITT) have built the planter boxes and, complete with soil and seedlings, some have now been delivered by the Bishop’s Action Foundation (BAF) to Kāinga Ora customers in the region. 
 
To keep the vegetables and whānau thriving, Sustainable Taranaki (through the Marfell Community Garden) will provide advice and guidance on caring for the plants.  
 
Daniel Fuemana, Director of Trade Training, Primary and Creative Industries at WITT, says building the planter boxes teaches the Year 11, 12 and 13 students various joinery skills. 
 
“Providing meaningful mahi will really bring the learning alive for these joinery ākonga (students) and they take great pride in knowing the planter boxes will be used to help community members,” says Daniel. 
 
Maya Harrison and Misha Hoskin, Year 12 students from New Plymouth Girls’ High School, say the planter box project has been rewarding, especially knowing the boxes will be used in the community for people to grow food. Both have been doing woodwork at school and have enjoyed the opportunity through WITT’s Secondary Tertiary Pathway to develop their skills by using a wide range of hand, power, and fixed tools in the carpentry workshop on campus.  
 
The planter box initiative grew out of the need to increase food resiliency in the community, says Mieke Verschoor, workshop coordinator and facilitator at Sustainable Taranaki. 
 
“Many people have realised through the COVID lockdowns and supermarket food shortages how important it is to grow their own kai. It helps them be self-reliant and share what they don’t need with whānau, friends and neighbours. In addition, we also know that gardening and growing food is important for someone’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being.” 
 
BAF Chief Executive Officer Simon Cayley agrees that kai is an important connector, allowing people to share with neighbours and engage in community initiatives like crop swaps and community gardens. 
 
“Food grown in the planter boxes can be harvested and enjoyed in a nutritious shared meal with friends, family, and neighbours that they can feel proud of. By learning to grow their own food, Kāinga Ora customers will be able to share their knowledge with family and friends, passing on their learnings to the next generation.”