35 tamariki move into long-term homes

The recently completed development is near the corner of Gladstone Road and Mill Road and opposite Te Hapara School. The homes have been built on the back of a 5118m site, that held three state homes and vacant land.

The development comprises one six-bedroom home, three four-bedroom homes, four three-bedroom homes and one two-bedroom home.

Naomi Whitewood, (Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi) Regional Director East North Island, says we are privileged to be able to provide warm, comfortable long-term homes for nine whānau who have had nowhere suitable to live for some time.
“By increasing the number of homes on this site, more whānau will enjoy living in an area that is across the road from Te Hapara School and close to other services.

“We take a careful approach to matching the homes to whānau with the highest priority for a home of that size and who will be a good fit with the neighbouring community. The larger size of the homes and the school close by, were important considerations when matching families to the homes. That is one reason so many tamariki are now living in this development.”

“Our new customers were keen to move into their new home as soon as possible. Once completed, the homes were blessed, and all the families started moving in straight away.”

Esther and her son Neihana

Charmaine and her six children are one of the whanau that couldn’t wait to move into their new home.

“It’s been a really difficult journey to get a place where we can all live and not worry about getting moved on. It’s been nearly four years of uncertainty; first in a motel 20 minutes from town and then in transitional housing.

“When we lived in the motel out of town, I was making eight trips a day until 10pm at night! I had to pick up and drop off the kids and fit in my shifts at work around all the other things that needed doing.

“It was easier to work shifts when I was in transitional housing. We lived closer to the kids schools and I had the best social workers supporting us from Te Runanga o Ngāti Porou.

“Moving into this home I now feel at peace; like there is a big weight off my shoulders. Ideally we would have had a home four years ago, when the kids were younger. My four eldest are all teenagers now.

“We will make the most of this opportunity. I am looking forward to going back to fulltime work once we are all settled. After years of sleeping in the lounge, I now get a bedroom. It has a view. The thought of settling down and never having to move again is bliss.”

Esther is another mum who has moved into one of the new homes. She also has six children. Three of them attend Te Hapara school, with the youngest starting there next year.

“They have been running around school telling all their mates they are moving into one of the flash new houses over the road.”

“We are all so excited about living here. The kids and I have been dancing around the house waiting for the moment we can move in.”

See where we are building or planning to build in Gisborne(external link).

Te Hapara School Kapa Haka group performed at the blessing of the new to welcome in their new neighbours.