Latest news with #Hawke'sBayRegionalRecoveryAgency
Scoop
16-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
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.'
Scoop
12-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
'Stronger Together' – Hawke's Bay Councils Seek Feedback On Preferred Model For Delivering Water Services
Press Release – Hawke's Bay Regional Recovery Agency Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said the work undertaken by councils to date and the feedback now being sought from communities were critical in what would be a significant decision by the four councils. Residents across Hawke's Bay are now invited to have their say on what will be an intergenerational decision, as public consultation officially opens on the region's preferred model for delivering water services to communities in the future. At a series of council meetings last month, Central Hawke's Bay District Council, Hastings District Council, Napier City Council and Wairoa District Council each endorsed a joint water services organisation as the most cost-effective, efficient and resilient option for delivering drinking water, wastewater and urban stormwater services and meeting the requirements of the Government's Local Water Done Well reforms. Two alternative options are also being presented for public feedback. Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said the work undertaken by councils to date and the feedback now being sought from communities were critical in what would be a significant decision by the four councils. 'Water is one of the most essential services we provide as councils – be it safe drinking water from the tap, reliable wastewater systems that protect public health, or stormwater networks that mitigate the damage from increasingly frequent extreme weather. 'Managing these services well is critical to how we live, work, and thrive and I am confident I speak on behalf of my fellow mayors and elected members when I say that the decision to endorse a joint water services organisation is not one we have taken lightly.' She said the decision was about more than pipes and pumps. 'It's about future-proofing the region for generations to come'. Central Hawke's Bay Mayor Alex Walker said the regional option was the strongest one. 'We're in a perfect storm in Central Hawke's Bay. We're having to invest in catch-up from underinvestment in past, meet growing regulatory expectations and invest for the future all at the same time. 'The cost per household for Central Hawke's Bay is the highest across the region. It's very clear the model is not a silver bullet to our affordability issues, but in the current legislative environment, we are stronger together as Hawke's Bay. It gives us the best chance of resolving these issues.' She said it's important to note that not all decisions have been made, either at a local or national level. 'Changes to things like wastewater standards will have a material effect on the cost to our households but are still yet to be completed and put into legislation.' Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise reflected on the strong regional collaboration behind this milestone and the importance of public input at this stage. 'We've been working together on water services reform since 2018, with a shared commitment to what is best for our communities both now, and for future generations. 'The modelling clearly shows that coming together as a region to collectively deliver water services would enable enhanced delivery and capability, increase resilience, and provide better value for money across all four council areas – but before any decisions are finalised, we need to hear from the people who use and pay for these services.' Wairoa Mayor Craig Little said while a joint water services organisation, owned by all four councils, could make full use of the benefits of working collaboratively as a region, there is a lot of detail to work through yet. 'Under these Government reforms, there are options for councils to go it alone or join together with any number of others. 'There are pros and cons of each option, and work done to date indicates there are efficiencies through the scale of a regional model. In each corner of Hawke's Bay, there are unique needs and considerations that would need to be factored into any regional entity in order for it to best serve all communities.' He said for Wairoa, consultation material emphasises the importance of local voice and local representation in decision-making as key components of any future model. Each council has published its own consultation materials, including details specific to the services and costs in their area. Submissions will close at 5pm, Sunday 15 June. Residents are encouraged to review these documents carefully and make a submission via their local council website or submission portal. Mayor Wise said there is still a lot of work to do and at this stage councils are simply looking for a temperature gauge: go it alone or work together across the region. 'Making a final decision on how we deliver water services will be made by councils towards the end of July. Following that we will need to fine tune the chosen model and define what things will look like in detail, and this will take time. 'This is your opportunity to ask questions, consider the future you want to see for your council area and the wider region, and have your say.'
