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The government’s progressive procurement initiative has helped a Kerikeri Māori business win a contract to build six statehouses in Kaikohe.
Martin Yakas from Ngāt Rehia says Yakas Construction was helped through the long tendering process by Te Puni Kōkiri and another Māori business, Height Project Management.
He started his firm repairing houses for Northland iwi, and it now has 12 employees.
Patrick Dougherty, Kāinga Ora’s general manager of construction and innovation, says engaging with Māori and Pasifika businesses supports the housing ministry’s strategic outcomes.
He says one benefit of working with Yakas Construction was it offers significant job opportunities for local youth, which has a knock-on effect to the Northland economy.
Kainga Ora has about 150 homes under construction in Taitokerau.
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