Three homes, built by Hastings Boys High School, are on the move

This is the culmination of a two-year partnership with Kāinga Ora driven by HBHS Head of Technology, Salla Delport and his principal the late Rob Sturch.

The three houses will be used to home families in need on a site in Willowpark Road, central Hastings. They were moved offsite from HBHS just before Christmas and have been temporarily placed at the Brittons House Movers yard in Maraekākaho. They will be relocated to Willowpark Road in Hastings once consents and siteworks are complete. This is likely to be before May 2024.

The three houses were built by the students under the close, watchful eye of Salla Delport and licensed building practitioner Trent Bray. The Year 13 students were involved in the Building Academy, a building and construction industry training organisation (BCITO) accredited building course.

Out of the 17 students who took part this year, 14 have already been employed in the building or construction industry.

The programme is set to continue this year and give another group of students a similar work experience and teach them the skills needed to gain employment after school.

The partnership is a great example of the school and government agencies working together in a way that benefits the students and the Hastings community says Naomi Whitewood (Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi) Regional Director East North Island. “It is a game changer for students, schools and communities. Students have the opportunity to build skills and get real world experience constructing houses for those in need of warm, dry, new homes. The partnership is also creating pathways into the industry, and ensuring a pipeline of rangatahi with employment-ready trade skills.”

“We know the students graduate the academy ready for the workforce and able to add value to their employer from day one. They understand health and safety requirements, they know how to use the tools and they know what is required to work as part of a team.”

Kāinga Ora has a significant programme delivering public housing in Hawke’s Bay and these three warm, dry homes will make a significant difference to the whānau that move into them.

The Hastings Boys High School Trade Academy is one of 11 academies throughout the country that are training young people for the construction industry and building quality homes for Kāinga Ora.

Read more on our Training and apprenticeships.