New beginnings at Mahora, Hastings

Darren Toy, Director Place-based Approach, Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities was thrilled to join Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst, members of Ngāti Kahungunu and the community alongside our staff at a blessing and community event on 20 October to celebrate the milestone. 

“Starting work to deliver 40 homes is significant in itself, and today we have further reason to celebrate. This development has further significance in that the the design is a result of our joint approach to addressing housing shortages in a way that contributes positively to the homes and community, through the Hastings place-based approach.”

“Working together, we have achieved a better outcome for the community and whānau who will live in these homes,” said Darren.

Mayor Hazelhurt is delighted to “turn the first sod” and mark the start of work

“The support and feedback from Hastings District Council has enhanced the design dramatically. It is a testament to the place-based approach, and will lead the way going forward for our developments in Hastings.”

Hastings mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said it was wonderful to celebrate the occasion with the community and partner agencies who had all worked together to bring this development about.

“What is being built here is more than great quality, safe, warm homes, it’s building community and places to live that people will be proud of.”

She acknowledged the team who had taken the Hastings place-based approach plan to government and kick-started the building programme that’s underway,  with more to come.

“We are not going to stop until we get people who are currently living in motels and campgrounds into places they can call their own,” said Mayor Hazlehurst.

The new Kauri Street homes will be one of Hawke’s Bay’s larger developments, with 40 modern, warm and dry homes, along with greenspaces, communal areas and thoroughfares.

Through the place-based approach, the development has gained the benefit of Kāinga Ora and Council urban design experts working closely together, integrating local knowledge and expertise. Key benefits include:

• Good connections within the development and to the wider community through layout and thorough-fares.
• An environment that balances openness with security, with the homes orientated  to allow neighbours to keep an eye out for each other.
• Building of community through communal areas, green spaces and  community gardens. These spaces will be activated by the community over time to support the aim of creating a community which is inclusive, thriving and connected.
• The style and colour of the homes, and landscaping fits with the existing look and feel of the neighbourhood.
• The inclusion of three more much needed homes.

The homes will be a mix of one and two-storey and duplex homes, with a mix of one to four-bedroom homes, and are anticipated to be delivered by the end of 2021.

The high quality homes will be built to 6 Homestar and Healthy Homes standards, with the development meeting environmental sustainability outcomes and exceeding NZ building standard.

The homes are part of wider work to deliver more homes for Hastings at scale and pace, through the place-based approach. By the end of 2021, Kāinga Ora aims to have delivered an extra 160 extra warm, dry quality homes in Hastings.

More information on what Kainga Ora is developing in the Hastings

Artist’s impression of how the new development will look, with new modern homes, green spaces, and thoroughfares