Government Announces 150 New Social Homes For Hawke's Bay Through Community-led Approach
Press Release – Hawke's Bay Regional Recovery Agency
Hawkes Bay securing 150 of these housing places is the result of strong local leadership and collaboration, particularly following the severe impact of Cyclone Gabrielle.
Confirmation of Government funding for 150 new social homes in Hawke's Bay is being welcomed as an important first step towards putting local leadership and community needs at the centre of housing decision making.
The funding for these homes will come from the Government's 2024 Budget allocation for 1500 community housing places to be built and tenanted nationwide by mid-2027 – an initiative that reflects the Government's shift towards new community housing being provided by Community Housing Providers (CHPs).
Hawke's Bay securing 150 of these housing places is the result of strong local leadership and collaboration, particularly following the severe impact of Cyclone Gabrielle. The Matariki Housing Leadership Group – a partnership of mana whenua, iwi, PSGEs, councils, and community leaders – has played a key role in identifying housing solutions for the region.
Following the 2024 Government review into Kāinga Ora, the Leadership Group proposed to the Minister for Housing that Hawke's Bay could be a pilot region for greater place-based management of community housing, as recommended by the review written by former Prime Minister Bill English.
The Minister proposed that the Leadership Group work to identify opportunities for 150 places to be funded from the Budget 2024 CHP allocation and endorse these to the Ministry for Housing and Urban Development for consideration. This work has been ongoing for several months, with the Leadership Group close to endorsing 150 opportunities to the Ministry. Confirmation today of the funding from Housing Minister Chris Bishop, who met with representatives of the Leadership Group, is a welcome and important step in the process.
Mana Ahuriri Trust Chair, Te Kaha Hawaikirangi, said the announcement is a significant milestone for iwi and hapū and the wider Hawke's Bay region, signalling potential for genuine partnership when it comes to decisions on where community housing is built, and who it is managed by.
'It represents more than just housing. Localised decision-making is about restoring wellbeing, reconnecting whānau to their tūrangawaewae, and recognising that mana whenua have a leading role to play in solutions for our people, by our people.'
Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga Trust Chair, Mike Paku, said the initiative builds on the successful Hastings housing model launched in 2019.
'When local leaders and mana whenua are empowered, outcomes improve. The Crown's trust in us to help determine where these homes could go recognises our proven ability to deliver. Now, we're looking to formalise regional structures to support long-term local decision-making beyond the 150.'
The Regional Recovery Agency has supported the initiative by advocating for the region and facilitating the Leadership Group's work.
'With Cyclone Gabrielle having exacerbated the housing shortages faced across Hawke's Bay this was a natural piece of work for the Agency to support, as part of its recovery and resilience focus,' said Regional Recovery Agency Chair, Blair O'Keeffe.
Mike Paku highlighted the long-term ambition held by the Leadership Group.
'This isn't just about 150 homes. It's about building a sustainable, place-based model that delivers better results over time, including improved outcomes for tenants and communities, and value-for-money for the Crown. We're focused on creating a housing system that puts people first and reflects the values of our region.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
5 hours ago
- Scoop
Hospitality New Zealand Acknowledges Release Of Tourism Roadmap
Press Release – Hospitality NZ Hospitality NZ looks forward to ongoing collaboration across the tourism and hospitality sectors to support the implementation of the roadmap. Hospitality New Zealand is today acknowledging the release of the Government's Tourism Roadmap. Steve Armitage, Chief Executive of Hospitality NZ, says 'We're pleased to see the Government's intent to support the growth of tourism and hospitality, enabling its role in doubling the value of tourism exports. 'We welcome the roadmap's clear alignment with our Hospitality Summit report, particularly regarding its emphasis on growing the number of Kiwis in tourism and hospitality roles. 'More generally we see strong alignment with the Going for Growth focuses on 'developing talent' and 'competitive business settings'. 'We are, however, disappointed to see that International Visitor Levy (IVL) contributions to tourism and conservation projects will be capped in 2025/26, with additional funds being used to subsidise existing government spend in areas such as funding for Tourism New Zealand. 'Our view is the IVL was conceived to generate funds for investment in tourism and conservation, over and above existing budget lines. Particularly when there is a focus on growing tourism arrival numbers, to use IVL funds on what should be taxpayer funded does little to resolve the nationwide tourism funding gap the industry is facing. 'Hospitality NZ looks forward to ongoing collaboration across the tourism and hospitality sectors to support the implementation of the roadmap.'
Scoop
5 hours ago
- Scoop
More Funding To Grow International Tourism
Press Release – New Zealand Government Recent tourism funding has been about boosting visitor numbers. As those higher numbers become established, the Roadmap will shift over time to focus more on supporting communities to look after them well, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston … Minister for Tourism and Hospitality The Government is increasing funding for attracting overseas visitors and investing in tourism infrastructure as part of its new Tourism Growth Roadmap, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says. 'We're investing $35 million to deliver the first stage of the Roadmap, which sets out the Government's plan to double the value of tourism,' Louise Upston says. 'International visitors bring billions of dollars into New Zealand, from big ticket spends to everyday purchases in local cafes and accommodation. 'We want to welcome more visitors to New Zealand, and we want our regional communities to improve their capacity to look after those visitors. 'The Government must work with industry to unlock the full potential of our tourism sector, and the Roadmap lays out initiatives and investments to ensure our infrastructure, workforce and communities can support further growth. 'For the 2025/26 financial year, we're investing $6 million in international marketing across emerging tourism markets, $3 million to increase the number of business events hosted in New Zealand, and an additional $5 million towards the Major Events Fund. 'These commitments follow the recent announcements of $13.5 million invested in international tourism marketing and $4 million of investment towards improving the visitor experience along the Milford Road corridor. 'Recent tourism funding has been about boosting visitor numbers. As those higher numbers become established, the Roadmap will shift over time to focus more on supporting communities to look after them well,' Louise Upston says. This investment comes from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy. This levy is charged to most international visitors, and ensures they are contributing to the public services, facilities and natural environment they will enjoy while in New Zealand.
Scoop
7 hours ago
- Scoop
Hospitality New Zealand Acknowledges Release Of Tourism Roadmap
Hospitality New Zealand is today acknowledging the release of the Government's Tourism Roadmap. Steve Armitage, Chief Executive of Hospitality NZ, says 'We're pleased to see the Government's intent to support the growth of tourism and hospitality, enabling its role in doubling the value of tourism exports. 'We welcome the roadmap's clear alignment with our Hospitality Summit report, particularly regarding its emphasis on growing the number of Kiwis in tourism and hospitality roles. 'More generally we see strong alignment with the Going for Growth focuses on 'developing talent' and 'competitive business settings'. 'We are, however, disappointed to see that International Visitor Levy (IVL) contributions to tourism and conservation projects will be capped in 2025/26, with additional funds being used to subsidise existing government spend in areas such as funding for Tourism New Zealand. 'Our view is the IVL was conceived to generate funds for investment in tourism and conservation, over and above existing budget lines. Particularly when there is a focus on growing tourism arrival numbers, to use IVL funds on what should be taxpayer funded does little to resolve the nationwide tourism funding gap the industry is facing. 'Hospitality NZ looks forward to ongoing collaboration across the tourism and hospitality sectors to support the implementation of the roadmap.'
