A joint initiative between the Government and Penina Trust aimed at boosting Pasifika home ownership has delivered a major win this week.
Census data from 2023 revealed 16.8% of Pacific people owned their own home, compared to 42.1% of the general New Zealand population.
New Zealand’s first Pacific-led housing provider, the Penina Trust, was working to close that gap.
In Auckland’s Māngere, the Meredith family were among the first to benefit, moving into a brand-new four-bedroom home designed for multigenerational living.
“It just means stability and security,” new homeowner Maria Meredith told 1News.
Census data showed 16.8% of Pacific people owned their own home in 2023, compared to 42.1% of all New Zealanders. (Source: 1News)
“It’s a place to start creating memories for our family.”
The homes, valued at nearly $1 million, were being sold for $775,000 thanks to a government grant.
That equity boost meant banks were more willing to lend, and gives families a more secure financial footing.
Penina Trust chief executive Tupuola Roine Lealaiauloto said “we need to bridge the gap”.
“We need affordable rentals, but we also can never forget that people don’t want to just be renting for the rest of their lives.”
The Trust currently operated 262 transitional and social homes, with 18 more units set to open in Ōtara next week.
Thirteen homes had been completed under the ownership scheme.
Minister Shane Reti praised the impact of contributions from the Ministry for Pacific Peoples.
“There’s a lot of benefits to this home ownership programme, and to meet that need — which Pasifika have disproportionately more than others — the Ministry for Pacific Peoples will swing in behind,” he said.
However, the Trust worried about future funding of housing programmes due to a government proposal to merge the Ministry into a larger department.
“Penina are concerned about government intentions to get rid of the Ministry of Pacific Peoples,” said Lealaiauloto.
Reti said he “understands their anxiety”, but said future support for Pacific people could still exist under any new structure.
