Affordable Papamoa housing project launched

Source: Bay of Plenty Times. 11:57 AM Tuesday Nov 29, 2016

An affordable housing project set to provide 240 houses on Papamoa settlement land has been officially launched.

Hapu Ngā Potiki launched the 20ha Manawa - The Heart of Papamoa Special Housing Area on Saturday, with 30 per cent of the house sites set aside for Ngā Potiki people.

The first stage of project was planned for early 2017 with a total of 110 sites, 40 of which were for Ngā Potiki members.

The residential-zoned development is on Te Houhou settlement land and the project intended to both reflect the hapu's connection with the land and provide affordable, quality housing for its people.

The remaining sites would be sold to a national group of building companies to be released to the public for commercial return.

Waiariki MP and Māori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell said the housing project would not only create homes for Ngā Potiki descendants but also for the wider community.

"Ngā Potiki a Tamapahore has already done some great work, fixing homes belonging to their whānau that were in real need of repair."

"I'm really looking forward to seeing more of our people living on their ancestral whenua in the heart of Papamoa," he said.

Ngā Potiki Trust board deputy chairwoman Victoria Kingi said the development meant the trust would still retain up to 60 per cent of the entire block.

"It's going to transform lives for people who can't buy in the market.

"Basically, we are assuring our members if they buy a house-and-land package, it will be very affordable.
"We can not only provide a commercial return, but also achieve social outcomes."
​
The group of building companies had signed up to take on apprentices though the Maori Pasifika training programme.

The Manawa development project would have a mix of rentals, license to occupy and house and land packages.

Waiariki MP and Māori Party co-leader Te Ururoa Flavell said Ngā Potiki a Tamapahore had already done some great work, fixing homes belonging to their whānau that were in real need of repair.

He said in June this year, the trust secured more than $324,000 from the Māori Housing Network.

"Now the trust has taken their iwi's housing aspirations to the next level with their housing project Manawa and I'm really looking forward to seeing more of our people living on their ancestral whenua in the heart of Papamoa.

"Not only does the trust's housing project create homes for their descendants but for the wider community as well."
​
- Bay of Plenty Times