The first stage of the Government’s Our Whare Our Fale housing programme in Eastern Porirua has been completed, with 18 warm, energy-efficient homes and a communal fale (gathering place) now built – the first milestone toward up to 300 affordable homes planned by 2034.
The initiative is being led by Central Pacific Collective (CPC) in partnership with Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira and the Ministry for Pacific Peoples, supported by a $114.6 million Government investment.
“This programme is strengthening the local economy while helping families into stable, healthy homes designed for multigenerational living,” said Pacific Peoples Minister, Shane Reti.
“This development reflects the Government’s focus on practical action to lift housing outcomes. It supports families to achieve home ownership and live in healthy, sustainable communities,” said Associate Housing Minister, Tama Potaka.
To keep homes affordable, the programme includes:
- Wrap-around financial support, including shared-equity to help with deposits and ongoing housing costs
- Perpetual land leases from Ngāti Toa to remove land costs, and
- Homes built at cost rather than market-rate margins.
“This programme shows the value of working alongside community organisations and iwi to improve economic and health outcomes for families,” Mr Potaka says.
“Initiatives like Our Whare Our Fale are making a real difference. They build affordable homes, strengthen financial skills, and give families the security they need to thrive. This is the kind of progress we want to see across the country,” says Dr Reti.
“I want to acknowledge Central Pacific Collective, Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira and the Ministry for Pacific Peoples. Their partnership is delivering real results for families.”
A further 32 homes are expected to be completed by late 2026, creating ongoing employment throughout the construction period.
Designed by Pasefika for Pasefika, Our Whare Our Fale reimagines the Pasefika village in Aotearoa, with a unique cultural-led design grounded in the Pasefika culture, said CPC CEO Fa’amatuainu Tino Pereira MNZM.
The homes embrace the principle of ‘Anoafale’ – recognising that it’s not so much about the house, but about the people living in it, their sacred relationships and their connections to who they are, he said.
The 18 new homes are built around a central malae (community green space) with a shared fale, the New Zealand Green Building Council’s Homestar 6 certified homes provide spaces for aiga (family) to gather, celebrate and support each other.
“The design supports the community, allowing for multi-generational living and for maintaining the cultural practices that make Pasefika communities strong,” said Mr Pereira.
He says the development is proof that community-led housing works.
“We said we would deliver quality homes that reflect who we are as Pasefika people, and we’ve done exactly that. Today, we’re proving that when Pasefika lead, when we design for our own needs, when we work in true partnership, we can change our future.”
Families are expected to begin moving in by the end of the year.
