Two new Westport homes completed

The two-bedroom homes on the corner of Rintoul Street and Riley Place were blessed by local iwi Ngāti Waewae earlier this week. 

The homes have replaced one flood-damaged house that was previously on the site and was removed last year. 

Julia Campbell, Regional Director Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast, says people are expected to move into the homes in time for Christmas.  

“Our specialist team is currently speaking with people who will benefit from living in these new homes. Before placing a customer in a Kāinga Ora home, we talk to them about both their housing needs and connections to the community, and other groups, to help us make a suitable housing match,” she says.  

Ms Campbell says Kāinga Ora is increasing the number of homes available for people in need in several ways, including replacing older homes with a greater number of homes on the same site, as part of its redevelopment programme. 

“We’re really pleased to be able to provide two modern homes on a site where one home once stood. We’re also looking forward to welcoming people into homes that are within walking distance to shops, schools and other amenities,” she says. 

The two new homes on the corner of Rintoul Street and Riley Place in Westport.

The homes were manufactured off-site at Rolleston Prison, near Christchurch, under a partnership between Kāinga Ora and the Department of Corrections. 

After excavation and foundation work was completed, the two homes were transported to Rintoul Street in August this year before being lifted on the piles and connected to key services. Other work such as landscaping and the construction of concrete driveways and paths, a timber deck and stairs was then undertaken. 

The total cost of constructing the homes is $837,564 excluding GST. This includes the cost of constructing the homes off-site, relocating them to the Rintoul Street site and all associated work on-site (including civil, infrastructure and landscape work).