The Wellington Company and Te Tumu Kāinga today celebrated the upcoming construction of Paetutu: a high quality, affordable new neighbourhood development of 56 homes at Jackson Street, Petone.
Kura Moeahu and Holden Hohaia from Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust provided a blessing of the site and karakia. Then Hutt City Mayor Ray Wallace, Te Tumu Kāinga General Manager Declan Millin and Port Nicholson Chair Wayne Mulligan turned the first sod of dirt ahead of site construction starting in late April.
Supporting Māori housing needs
Te Tumu Kāinga is a not-for-profit community housing provider administered by Te Tumu Paeroa. And Te Tumu Kāinga General Manager Declan Millin was excited about this new development.
“We support housing projects that benefit Māori and Paetutu will do just that. This has been an opportunity to enable iwi to do it for themselves – creating quality, affordable homes for whānau. And it’s great to see that a large number of these homes will be owned by iwi
members" said Declan.
This collaboration is also showcasing how a well-designed commercial and charitable partnership can deliver truly great social outcomes”.
Thriving neighbourhood
Ian Cassels from The Wellington Company was unable to attend the event, but previously commented on the fact that Paetutu has been met with outstanding sales popularity shows the market is ready for medium density suburban living.
“Paetutu was designed for neighbourhood living thriving on interaction, supported by intelligent design within a master-planned environment”.
“Paetutu shows what can be achieved when private sector and community providers work together for a bigger purpose. Together with Te Tumu Kāinga, in Paetutu we’ve created a medium density model for affordable homes with excellent thermal performance and resultant health benefits". Cassels also notes the importance of strong and trusted relationships in delivering such projects:
Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust members were offered an option to purchase before Paetutu went on the general market, which proved very popular. Only a handful of the 56 homes remain available for purchase.
The sense of neighbourhood living was evident in the celebrations: the tune of Mr Whippy had excited neighbourhood kids clamouring for their turn in the queue for a school holiday treat, while neighbours enjoyed morning tea and a chat with those involved in the creation of Paetutu.