A major new chapter in Māori-led housing is unfolding in Tāmaki Makaurau, as Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Properties moves ahead with Te Punga, a large-scale residential development in Mount Albert designed to anchor a thriving, connected community.
At the centre of the kaupapa is Ngarimu Blair, Deputy Chair of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Properties, who says Te Punga represents far more than a housing project – it is a long-term expression of iwi responsibility, rangatiratanga, and intergenerational planning.
The first stage of the development will deliver 51 homes, with the wider vision extending to around 500 homes over time.
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei has been clear about who Te Punga is for.
The initial homes are prioritised for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei whānau, particularly those seeking secure, affordable pathways into housing within Tāmaki Makaurau – including working whānau, kaumātua, and households currently locked out of the market.
Ngarimu Blair says these priorities were set through sustained engagement with iwi members and a clear understanding of the pressures facing Māori families in Auckland.
“This is about creating real options for our people – not just houses, but stability, connection, and belonging,” Blair says.
A Transformational Development
Te Punga is being described as a transformational development, both for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and for the city.
In practical terms, it brings together:
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Māori-led design and governance
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Medium- and high-density housing close to transport and services
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A strong focus on community spaces and shared wellbeing
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Long-term retention of whenua in iwi ownership
For Auckland, Te Punga contributes to urgently needed housing supply in a way that aligns with urban intensification goals – while demonstrating how iwi can lead complex developments that balance social, cultural, and commercial outcomes.
For future residents, Blair says the transformation lies in security and dignity.
“This isn’t about short-term fixes. It’s about building communities where people can put down roots and plan for the future.”
Balancing Affordability, Quality, and Wellbeing
As Te Punga grows, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei faces the challenge confronting all housing providers: how to keep homes affordable without compromising quality or long-term outcomes.
Blair says the iwi’s approach is grounded in intergenerational thinking, rather than maximising immediate returns.
That includes:
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Retaining control of the development over time
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Investing in durable, well-designed homes
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Embedding green spaces and shared amenities
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Planning for social connection, not just density
“Affordability isn’t just about the purchase price,” Blair says. “It’s about ongoing costs, quality of life, and whether the community will thrive decades from now.”
What Comes Next
With construction now underway, Te Punga is only the beginning.
Future stages will see the development expand toward its full 500-home vision, alongside continued investment in other Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei housing initiatives across Tāmaki Makaurau.
Blair says Te Punga fits squarely within the iwi’s wider whenua and housing strategy – one that seeks to address housing inequity, strengthen iwi presence in the city, and ensure whenua is used in ways that benefit both current and future generations.
A Model for Māori Housing Leadership
As Māori and iwi-led housing becomes increasingly critical to addressing Aotearoa’s housing crisis, Te Punga stands as a model of what is possible when whenua, governance, and kaupapa are aligned.
For Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, it is a statement of intent: that Māori can, and will, shape the future of their communities – on their own terms.
Radio Waatea News will continue to follow the progress of Te Punga as the development moves through its next stages.
