Healthier homes under Homestar

Kāinga Ora has actively stepped into the global green building movement by committing all its new homes will be built to 6 Homestar standard.

This means homes will be built to be warmer, healthier, more energy efficient for tenants and their whānau.

Housing Minister Megan Woods officially opened a new 6 Homestar 6 Kāinga Ora complex in Christchurch last week and said she was proud to see the organisation showing strong leadership in this space.

"This project is a clear demonstration of this Government’s commitment to providing high quality public housing that is good for people," she said.

Christchurch tenant Uate moved into his new 6 Homestar home in Richmond just over a week ago and is already feeling the benefits.

"It has been cold outside but I haven’t even had to turn my heat pump on yet. Words just can’t say how happy I am."

Homestar, which is run by the New Zealand Green Building Council, is a national residential rating tool to evaluate homes in terms of their warmth, as well as their health, sustainability, energy and water efficiency qualities.

Kāinga Ora’s move to 6 Homestar means its new homes will far exceed Building Code standards for warmth, dryness and health.

Its massive new builds programme means there are already more than  3000 public housing homes being built with this rating around New Zealand.

Minister Woods said the new homes were also good for the financial wellbeing of tenants with energy savings from these new energy efficient homes estimated to be $570 per household every year.

Another positive aspect is the huge reduction – 80% -  in construction waste from every building site.

"I am proud Kāinga Ora is actively stepping into a global green movement. They can see the long-term benefits that this investment will achieve."

Loving his new home … Kāinga Ora tenant Uate (second from left) welcomed some special guests into his 6 Homestar home last week. From left, Kāinga Ora CE Andrew McKenzie, Housing Minister Megan Woods, New Zealand Green Building Council’s Jennifer Whittle and local MP Poto Williams.