June 22, 2018
Iwi-led housing for defence personnel
Hauraki kāumatua were out at dawn west of Auckland city today to bless 49 new homes for defence force personnel.
The Whenuapai Housing Development was built by a partnership between Pare Hauraki iwi and the Māori Trustee’s Te Tumu Kainga housing development arm.
Partnership chair Paul Majurey says it's a positive example of post-settlement activity.
"This is a land that was acquired privately through a commercial acquisition so it's not different to those iwi around the motu who are investing in all parts of New Zealand. Waikato Tainui, Ngai Tahu are examples of that where they are investing further afield from home base. Of course we're in Tāmaki Makaurau as well. It's an important development for us based off our settlements from aquaculture and commercial fisheries in that post-settlement space that is so exciting and we are enjoying working in," he says.
Paul Majurey says the units are leased for five years with a five year renewal in line with Defence policy, but he’s confident the relationship will continue long beyond that.
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