New Housing development proposed for Wellington Site

The site is owned by a local Māori Trust whose 1,000 plus beneficial owners claim descent from the occupants of Te Aro Pā which once stood in the vicinity of Taranaki Street and Courtenay Place. The Trust proposes to construct 13 modern two storey, three bedroom apartments. The modern design will be in keeping with other residential developments in the area. It also incorporates a number of design features that reflect its papakāinga nature (Māori Housing on ancestral lands) and its connections to Taranaki iwi.

Land owners are excited by the prospects of the redevelopment.  Dr Leo Buchanan, landowner and Trustee says, “This development is significant to the descendants of Te Aro Pā. The history of our land has been challenging, but this provides us with an opportunity for our people, our children, our kaumatua, to have a home on their land.”

Te Tumu Paeroa is the Responsible Trustee for this land and has facilitated this new development concept.

Jamie Tuuta, head of Te Tumu says, “This proposed housing development provides a positive outcome for land owners and the community. At present the area is not being well used and this housing development will give families who connect to the land the chance to get into affordable housing in a prime location, as well as substantially improve the returns to the Trust once the development debt has been repaid.

“Our core purpose is to mobilise Māori land and assets - and this is a great model for improving the use of urban Māori land.”

“We would like to acknowledge the assistance of our project partner, The Property Group and the Government’s Social Housing Unit within the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.”

The feasibility study completed to investigate redevelopment of the land was undertaken with the assistance of a Kāinga Whenua Project Capability Grant from the Social Housing Unit. Further, a significant Kāinga Whenua Infrastructure Grant has been approved by the Government through the Social Housing Unit to assist with site development work and therefore ensures that the development is focused on social and affordable housing.

These homes will be targeted at families in need of affordable accommodation in the city and tenancies will be managed by a professional organisation with oversight provided by the trust.

The development is targeted for completion by the end of next year.