The road to Northland’s largest new development

Pari Walker, a Kaumatua of Northland hapū Te Parawhau, unveiled the name at a recent dawn ceremony for Wanaka Street – the largest Kāinga Ora development in the region – before he led a group to officially open the homes.

“People call it a blessing but it’s actually a tuwhera,” Pari says. Tuwhera, which can mean ‘opening up’ or ‘to be open’, includes different types of karakia.

“They revolve around things like the earth – the whenua – the buildings, the materials, Tāne’s realm and where all of that comes from, and it’s clearing the spaces.”

Named for ‘whakaaro’

Te Parawhau Kaumatua Pari Walker leads a tuwhera at Wanaka Street in Whangārei.

As the tuwhera draws to a close, Pari explains how Papa Totara Loop’s name came from the relationship between Te Parawhau, Kāinga Ora and build partner Soho Group during development of the homes.

“Once we got through the design phase, we went through our uara,” says Pari Walker. “We have an uara ahurea, which is our cultural values, and we looked at a lot of things.”

Plans originally included the removal of two trees, a tōtara and a pūriri, so mana whenua requested they remain.

“They altered their plans to save the trees,” Pari says, “and so in acknowledgement to their whakaaro and what they did, we named the road Papa Totara.”

Homes for ‘how people live’

The homes here were designed and built by Soho Group for Kāinga Ora customers, and those customers were the focus from the project’s beginning.

“Soho Group wanted to partner with Kāinga Ora because we see the work that Kāinga Ora does as really vital and important – it works to the same core values that we do,” says General Manager Ben Noone.

“We think this is going to be a great place for people to come and live, because it’s taken into account how people live.

“It’s homes built with community gardens, it’s got community space, it’s got greenspace. It’s got the aspect of the sun, and how the weather works, all considered into the development.”

Room to connect

Along with each of the 55 new homes, Papa Totara Loop also connects residents with Te Whare o Tukua o Punga – a community room for residents to gather, have a cup of tea and get to know their neighbours.

Its name was gifted by Northland hapū Ngāti Hau, in honour of the suburb where these homes were built, Tikipunga, and how it was originally known by mana whenua.

‘Partnerships built this’

For Jeff Murray, Kāinga Ora Regional Director – Northland, the development reflects what can be achieved by working together.

“The development is thoughtfully designed and built, prioritising connection and community,” he says.

“Partnerships built this development, and we’re already seeing those same values extend to supporting our customers as they move in.

“Members at HOPE Tikipunga church have prepared welcome baskets for residents. Our Housing Support team will also be here at Te Whare o Tukua o Punga each week, to meet with our customers and help them make the most of this space.”

With strong foundations set, Wanaka Street is on its way to meet Kaumatua Pari’s final hopes for this place.

“Well my hopes are that we’re not just building them a house,” he says. “My hopes are that we’re building them a community.”