New homes for Gisborne from trade academies

Three homes built by ICONIQ building academy, two built by Springhill Prison Trades Academy and one built by Massey High School in Auckland were transported to their allocated sites in Gisborne recently.

Another four homes being built by trade academies are currently in the pipeline for Gisborne.

All of the homes are designed to be easily picked up and moved on to vacant land, and are all built to New Zealand Green Building Council 6 Homestar standards.

In 2023, all up 10 new homes will be built at a building academy and transported on to Kāinga Ora sites for whānau to move into. In 2022 four homes were delivered to Gisborne from trade academies, including a large five-bedroom home from Unitec in Auckland.

Roxanne Cribb (Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga), Acting Regional Director East North Island, Kāinga Ora says it is rewarding to see the hard work of so many students reaching this milestone.

“The homes we are getting from the trade academies are a win-win for everyone. Families in need get a well-built home, communities get an increase in the number of qualified trades people and students get real world skills building an actual house under supervision.

“Building academies provide a pathway for young people to enter the trades. Working under the supervision of registered builders and teachers, the students gain experience building real homes for the community.

“The relationship Kāinga Ora has with the schools and academies helps provide students with a career pathway and a sense of optimism. These students are leaving a lasting legacy by delivering quality homes where there is an immense need.”

Todd Scrafton Managing Director ICONIQ Group says “The team and I are extremely proud of what our academy team has been able to achieve so far to say the least. At ICONIQ we are committed to making a social impact as we introduce a new and sustainable cycle into Te Tairāwhiti.

“As a company we have high hopes for the future of our Māori and Pacific youth, we want to do our part to open the door of opportunities for local rangatahi. We are already proving and showcasing that there is no reason why this programme cannot continue to be a huge success which we have always known it would be.”

Luke Kanuta, Building Academy Tutor and Licensed LPB Builder Massey High School says “We are all very grateful to be a part of something as unique as our building academy. It has opened so many doors for our students and allowed them to learn all the skills necessary to succeed in this pathway that they have chosen.

“The meaningful work our students do in building Kāinga Ora homes helps shift their mindsets, makes them passionate about working for communities and contributes to them ensuring they only give their best.

“Knowing that a whānau now has access to a warm, dry and healthy home because of their māhi, makes them, and us very proud. This academy and partnership not only helps us build great homes and great builders, it also enables us to build great people too.”

For more information

• Training and apprenticeships
• Developments in the Gisborne region