High school students building new Kāinga Ora homes

The new three-bedroom home was built on the Massey school grounds, but now sits in Mangere, with a family set to move in shortly.

Seventeen-year-old Mckoy attended the blessing ceremony for the home, with about 19 other building academy students.

“Helping build this home has been an extremely positive experience for me. It’s great being able to learn new skills while doing something good for the community,” he says.

Sixteen-year-old Benjamin was also there and says working on the house was a “pretty wicked” experience.

“Putting in the insulation was definitely my favourite part. Keeping the family warm - it’s really important,” he says.

Launched in 2012, the Massey building academy provides a pathway for young people to enter the trades. Working under the supervision of registered builders and teachers, the students gain experience in carpentry, plumbing and electrical work, while helping build real homes for the community. Pupils from Bay of Islands College and the Kelston Deaf Education Centre also take part in the academy.

Massey High School principal Glen Denham says the school’s relationship with Kāinga Ora helps provide students with a career pathway and a sense of optimism.

“They can now see themselves owning their own building companies - building homes for themselves, other families and the community. It really gives them hope.

“I’ve been in the education sector or 30 years and this is the best thing I’ve been involved in.”

Aside from the Mangere home, a further three recently-finished Kāinga Ora houses are on the Massey high school campus, awaiting transportation to their new sites. The academy also has several other Kāinga Ora houses either under construction or in the pipeline.

Massey High School building academy students attended a blessing for the Kainga Ora home they helped build.