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A veto by local MP John Key on state rental housing going in to the Hobsonville defence land redevelopment means few in Ngati Whatua are likely to end up living on the whenua, but the iwi has found a way to benefit.
Two former defence houses from Hobsonville have been relocated to land at Helensville secured as part of the iwi’s treaty settlement.
Ngati Whatua Nga Rima o Kaipara Trust project leader Kiri Powell says it’s a pilot for further developments.
The houses are being renovated with sustainable, energy-efficient features, with iwi labour being used under the direction of a qualified builder.
She says the skills people learn will help them in future projects, with the aim being to spread houses across multiply-owned land including the five south Kaipara marae represented by the trust.
Copyright © 2013, UMA Broadcasting Ltd
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