The Government has today signed a deal to deliver up to 150 new homes for whānau in partnership with Toitū Tairāwhiti.
Minister of Housing, Megan Woods and Associate Minister of Housing (Māori Housing), Peeni Henare met with Toitū Tairāwhiti in Wellington this morning to sign the partnership, which follows one with Ka Uruora signed last month to deliver up to 172 new homes.
“The housing crisis was decades in the making, and we are turning it around through housing policy reforms, and the largest Government investment since the 1970s. Our programme is working to get a lot more new housing built, and is also stimulating regional economies and our construction sector to help them recover from the impacts of COVID-19,” Minister Woods said.
“Our commitment to working with partners like Toitū Tairāwhiti on the critical issue of improving housing for Māori is stronger than ever. It has to be, because while housing remains a challenge for many communities in Aotearoa New Zealand, it is particularly so for whānau Māori.”
Through the partnership, an investment of $55 million from the Whai Kāinga Whai Oranga fund has been approved to enable Toitū Tairāwhiti to deliver up to 150 new homes.
Toitū Tairāwhiti were identified through the National Iwi Chairs Forum last year as an iwi ready to partner with the Government to deliver Māori housing in their rohe.
They have already built 51 new homes for whānau in the Eastern Bay of Plenty / Tairāwhiti region.
“Toitū Tairāhwiti’s proposal will be progressed with key partnerships including – Built Smart homes (to provide a large percentage of offsite manufactured houses), Kāinga Ora (through relocatable houses being provided), local building providers and local construction/infrastructure providers,” Minister Henare said.
“Today is about celebrating this milestone investment and the formation of a partnership we have galvanised, founded in shared priorities and values.
“This announcement sees us delivering on the promises we made in MAIHI Ka Ora, our National Māori Housing strategy, and Whai Kāinga Whai Oranga. As a Government, we have promised partnership, investment and, above all, action. Today marks another vital step on the journey to delivering a better Māori housing future for our whānau,” he said.
