The government has partnered with Toitū Tairāwhiti in a bid to deliver 150 new homes in the region in the next 15 months.
Associate Housing Minister Peeni Henare, foreground, signs a new housing agreement. Photo: RNZ / Ashleigh McCaull
The agreement signed in Wellington this morning follows https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/466137/crown-signs-58m-deal-with-iwi-housing-provider-to-deliver-170-rental-homes one with Taranaki-based Ka Uruora signed last month] to deliver up to 172 new homes.
A total of $55 million has been approved from the Whai Kāinga Whai Oranga fund for Toitū Tairāwhiti to use for this project.
Associate Minister of Housing Peeni Henare said it showed the government was taking a by Māori for Māori approach and that it could not take a one-size-fits-all view.
"Our partnership with Toitū Tairāwhiti is us doing things differently.
"It's innovation. It is forward thinking and is focused on housing solutions that will deliver better housing outcomes for our family in Aotearoa."
Fifty-one new homes have already been built for whānau in the Eastern Bay of Plenty and in the Tairāwhiti region.
Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz said the investment would be life-changing for those struggling in the region.
"As we now know, whānau are raising their kids in cars or in motels. And that's just not good enough.
"So for us, what's happening here today is giving that opportunity to help find out and to warm dry homes and also just giving them hope for a brighter future."
Tairāwhiti bore the brunt of at least five storms in the past year which cut off communities and caused extensive damage to many homes.
Annette Wehi from Toitū Tairāwhiti said iwi had been factoring in the effects of climate change on whānau in the region.
"We've been designing with master planners from design tribe and Tamaki Makaurau, as well as our local master planners to look at nothing less than Homestar 8, in terms of that ...
"So it's right that while we are leading this particular project and on behalf of Toitū Tairāwhiti that we look at all of those from the ground.
"We don't wait and then try to fix up some infrastructure later."
Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Porou chairman Selwyn Parata said the partnership would help fulfil the basic needs of whānau.
"They've been telling us that they would like a warm safe home and that's what this project is all about: Providing them with a warm, safe home that they can bring up their families on their tribal lands, family lands, and contribute to the economy."
Henare was optimistic those on the ground would be able to meet the goal.
"I'm more than confident that we can we can meet these targets.
"They are ambitious, but that's the desire of the iwi and Toitū Tairāwhiti to set an ambitious target ... more importantly, that there'll be a foundation for even greater things into the future."
Last year's Budget committed what the government said was a record $730m to Māori housing through until 2025.