December 05, 2023
Kaupapa Māori housing service growing
A Wellington-based kaupapa Māori housing and social support service says demand is outstripping availability and it’s keen to grow its portfolio.
General manager Meyer Peteli says He Herenga Kura, formerly known as Kahungunu Whānau Services, has around 300 properties, mostly leased rentals.
It owns 19 whare outright and it’s trying to acquire more.
“Because we don’t own them the landlord could, if they move home or want to sell the house, we have to relocate the whānau and that whānau might be thriving in the community they are currently in and one obstacle we have faced lately, it is hard to rehouse that whanau in the same community,” Mr Peteli says.
Every whānau housed by He Herenga Kura is assigned a kaimahi to provide wraparound support such as finding work, dealing with government agencies or reconnecting with their whakapapa.