Fifty whānau are already on a waitlist for an affordable housing scheme in Rotorua, announced today by a government-iwi partnership, that’s set to deliver 80 rental homes by mid-2027.
The Government has put $28.47 million towards the second phase of local iwi Ngāti Whakaue’s Manawa Gardens housing project, alongside the tribe’s own $16 million investment. The new homes are in addition to the earlier completion of 80 affordable rentals in 2024.
Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka said whānau will be able to enjoy greater access to modern housing.
“We’re focused on delivering the right houses, in the right places with the right support, for those in genuine need. These homes will be available to kaumātua, working whānau priced out of the private rental market, and others in need seeking long-term housing security.”
The minister said the investment was an important step forward for whānau Māori in Rotorua where housing pressures meant many had to live in motels or other places unfit for purpose.
“By partnering with Māori organisations and community groups, we are changing that picture. With only two Contracted Emergency Housing motels remaining in use, we will meet our election commitment to exit these remaining motels by mid-December.”
In November, Ngāti Whakaue delivered 80 rental homes in the first phase of the three-phase housing project. Yet, according to the iwi, demand for the new houses are still high with more than fifty whānau on the waiting list.
Ray Morrison, general manager for Ngāti Whakaue Tribal Lands, said plans for future expansion is likely. “We’ve got the potential to build probably another couple thousand houses… just keep going – the same model. So that’s the plan, that’s the big plan: just keep going.”
He said whānau who live at the new development will have warm, safe and dry homes in a community designed for families.
“Look around at all the bikes around here, and skateboards and stuff, you know they can still play out on the roads and all that.”
Mum-of-two Brooke, a resident living in one of the houses built in 2024, said the community is a safe place to raise her sons.
“We don’t have a large family as such, so their cousins are based in Auckland. So other than the friends they make at daycare or school, it is just us. But being up here… you’ll usually just see all of the kids out and about riding their bikes and their scooters or running around and playing.”
She said she often comes across “new faces” or kids who she does’t know that call her ‘aunty’.
“That whānau and community aspect is really, really strong up here.”
She said everybody looks out for each other, and coming from living 12 years in Australia, it’s a nice and safe community.
“It’s giving my boys the childhood that I wanted to, that seems like the typical Kiwi childhood where they’re out and about, riding their bikes on the street, and they can do so safely and then literally telling them to come home when the streetlights come on.”
She said they couldn’t do that previously staying “in town” before moving in.
