New Northcote homes just the ticket

When former Northcote resident Mele was given the opportunity to move to a new state home in the area in March, she didn’t hesitate. She and five kids had outgrown their three-bedroom Kāinga Ora home in Birkenhead. 
 
As well as having more bedrooms, her new home came with a garage and a small back garden. Last Friday, Mele and her daughter Laryah proudly showed the visitors around. 
 
“I really wanted to come back here,” Mele says. “It’s near my kids’ school and the shops. The house is also warmer and there is so much more space here. It’s just perfect for us.” 
 

L-R: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, KiwiBuild homeowner Thomas, Housing Minister Megan Woods, Universal Homes Development Manager Chris Law and MP for Northcote Shanan Halbert.

Around the corner, Thomas is swapping his rental for his own two-bedroom KiwiBuild home, built by Universal Homes.  
 
“I’d been looking for a home to buy, but the market was crazy. I know Universal Homes is solid and I saw they had KiwiBuild homes so I applied. It’s in a really good spot and is just 15 minutes by bus to the city. I’ll be moving in next month and I can’t wait,” Thomas says. 
 
In total, the Northcote Development will see approximately 1,500 new state, affordable and market homes delivered over the next few years, along with upgraded amenity and infrastructure. 
 
These visits were part of a tour hosted by MP for Northcote Shanan Halbert, along with a number of our staff involved in the Northcote Development(external link).  
 
The tour also took in our flagship Auckland Central development on Grey’s Avenue, as well as Roskill Development(external link).  

L-R: Kāinga Ora Board Chair Vui Mark Gosche, Tenancy Manager Lincoln, Housing Minister Megan Woods, MP for Northcote Shanan Halbert, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Mele and her daughter Laryah (centre) and GM Urban Development and Delivery Mark Fraser.