First 3-storey walkup apartments for Gisborne

In Tairāwhiti, we have too many whānau with nowhere suitable to live, says Kāinga Ora East North Island Regional Director Naomi Whitewood (Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi).

“So it is good to see the completion of these ten warm, dry, high quality public homes in such a central location. The development includes Gisborne’s first three-storey walk up apartment building. By building up, more people can enjoy living in a prime location that connects easily to jobs, education, shopping and open spaces.”

“Land close to schools, shops and services is limited. We cannot keep spreading out; we need to think about building upwards. While this is different than what many of us living in regional New Zealand are used to, we all have to be open to what increased housing in our streets and neighbourhoods might look like.”

“The need for more public housing in this area is urgent.”

The Public Housing Plan identifies Tairāwhiti as one of eight priority areas nationally.  There were 605 applicants on the MSD Housing Register as of 30 June 2022 in Gisborne, (up from 376 in December 2019).

The Public Housing Plan focuses on building more homes in communities of severe housing deprivation. Kāinga Ora’s goal is to provide 200 new homes for Tairāwhiti whānau by 2024.

“To achieve this we must look to partner with local government, iwi, property developers and others based in the community to develop and implement joined-up local solutions. Together we will build great places for Tairāwhiti people to live.”

One of the ways we are increasing the number of public homes available is by buying completed homes off developers, says Mrs Whitewood. “In this case ICONIQ Group purchased the land, removed one older existing house and then built the ten new homes that meet public housing standards. Now the homes are complete, Kāinga Ora has purchased them for public housing.”

“We are working with ICONIQ Group on several other public home developments. The company is a good fit with Kāinga Ora as we have shared values and a focus on social as well as economic outcomes. They also think outside the square to find a range of solutions to Tairāwhiti’s urgent need for housing.”

ICONIQ run a pre-employment programme for rangatahi to get a trade. To support the training of apprentices, Kāinga Ora has committed to three build projects each year with ICONIQ Group. This ensures there is a pipeline of work for the apprentices to work on, says Mrs Whitewood. “Apprentices are led by licenced builders and have been involved in building homes at ICONIQ’s Gisborne site that are then transported around the rohe. “

See more of our developments happening in Gisborne