Members of Ngāti Rangi at the site of a new housing development in Ohakune. Photo: Supplied/Ngā Waihua o Paerangi Trust
Central North Island iwi Ngāti Rangi has hit a milestone for their housing development in Ohakune - which they hope will help alleviate a shortage of affordable housing in the region.
On Monday Te Kūmete o Paerangi - the commercial board of Ngāti Rangi - joined with TW Group and Egmont Dixon - to turn the sod for the construction of ten new houses.
The Ohakune Affordable Housing Programme is funded with the support of Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga - Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Te Kūmete o Paerangi Limited Partnership.
The sod turning for the construction of ten new houses to be built in Ohakune. Photo: Supplied/Ngā Waihua o Paerangi Trust
Te Kūmete chairperson Kemp Dryden said the houses will be for the descendants of Ngāti Rangi living in the region and those wanting to return home.
The idea for this project goes back even before the signing of Ngāti Rangi's Deed of Settlement in 2018 and the iwi are very happy to finally see it up and running, he said.
"E roa ake ngā kōrero, ko tēnei te wā e timata ai te whakatinanatia i ngā kōrero."
"We've been talking for a long time, now is the time to make those words into reality."
Dryden said the new homes would be affordable rentals aimed at local whānau.
Income disparity and housing shortages have meant many whānau have struggled to obtain affordable housing in the region, he said.
Housing has been a longstanding issue in Ohakune - sub-standard housing and erratic or transitional housing have prevented whānau from being able to enjoy the quality of life a good home brings with it, he said.
"He iti the nama e wātea ana mō tō tātau whānau, ko tērā te raru. Ko ō tātau whānau e toru ngā reanga e noho ana i te kāinga."
"The problem is that there are very few houses available to our community. Some families have three generations living in the same house."
Dryden said of about 1200 homes in Ohakune, about 800 are Airbnbs or holiday homes.
The iwi, local council, central government and the community all need to work together to solve this problem, he said.
Members of Ngāti Rangi at the site of a new housing project in Ohakune. Photo: Supplied/Ngā Waihua o Paerangi Trust
The housing development is located around Ohakune, particularly in the Korokio subdivision, named after the stream that runs through the area.
"Ko tēnei kaupapa he kainga hou, Rau Korokio ko te puāwaitanga o ēnā moemoeā me ngā whainga o Ngāti Rangi," Dryden said.
"This project is about building new homes, and Rau Korokio is the blossoming of the dreams and goals of Ngāti Rangi."
The subdivision has a small wetland, which is of great importance to Ngāti Rangi. Providing a unique habitat for native plants, birds and fish, as well as building and weaving materials such as raupo and harakeke, medicines and dyes used for seasoning timber and restoring precious artefacts.
Dryden said the main goal is that this project can benefit the whānau of Ngāti Rangi who are looking for a home.
English translations provided in this article are not direct quotes.
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