Unlocking housing opportunities in southwest Christchurch

The 3.68hectare property at 66A Quaifes Road in Halswell was purchased for a market value of $5.6 million by Paenga Kupenga, the economic development arm of Ngāi Tūāhuriri Rūnanga.

Ngāi Tahu Property Development Holdings will develop the land in partnership with Paenga Kupenga and Taumutu Rūnanga Limited.

Kāinga Ora originally bought the land in 2023 for $6.5 million under a government mandate that required the agency to boost the supply of build-ready land for affordable and market housing.

After that mandate changed, Kāinga Ora decided to sell the land. It advised Paenga Kupenga, which it had previously worked with it on potential development plans for the site, and obtained an independent market valuation of the land.

Liz Krause, Regional Director for Canterbury, says selling the land creates an opportunity for others to progress much-needed housing in a growing part of Christchurch, while reducing ongoing holdings costs for Kainga Ora.

“We bought the site in a strong property market to enable more market and affordable housing. Market conditions have since cooled considerably, and that shift has impacted on the property’s value. We’re confident the purchase price reflects what buyers are currently willing to pay for a piece of development-ready land in the city.  

“We’re pleased the purchaser can now move forward with development plans that will benefit the local community and deliver more housing for Christchurch,” Liz says.