New Kerikeri homes blessed and opened by Ngāti Rēhia

Designed and constructed by Gemscott, stage one of ‘Te Tira’ (a name gifted to the development by Ngāti Rēhia) consists of four ground-level homes and four second-level homes. The ground-level homes are built to full universal design standards, meaning they are suitable for people of all ages and abilities.

Far North District Mayor - Kahika Moko Tepania, who spoke at the opening, welcomed the new social housing.

“Initial research for our Far North Housing Strategy has shown our region has the worst quality housing in the country and hundreds of families on the Housing Register.

“Te Tira is a welcome step in the right direction to address this, and I am stoked for the whānau who will move into these homes, which are close to all the amenities of our Kerikeri Town Centre,” he said.

Kipa Munro, Chair of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rēhia said housing in Kerikeri is out of reach for many.

“The name Te Tira reflects the vision of the development, in that these homes are climate smart, secure and respectful.

“To be considered for one of the kāinga at Te Tira, whānau must be on the Ministry of Social Development’s Housing Register, so I encourage anyone who needs housing support to reach out to MSD to discuss whether they are eligible,” he said.

Jeff Murray, Regional Director – Northland at Kāinga Ora, said the new homes were built to high standard and feedback from locals was positive.

“Following the blessing we opened the homes and invited the community to come down and take a look for themselves. Over 100 Kerikeri locals looked through the homes and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

“Gemscott and their contractors are now hard at work on stage two of the development, which will deliver an additional 14 homes,” he said.

On completion, in early 2025, ‘Te Tira’ will include shared outdoor space, a children’s play area, a bike shed and onsite carparking.