This morning we reached a new milestone at Te Kirikiri: the first 90 cubic meters of concrete was poured on site, bringing us a step closer to seeing the development’s vertical construction phase take shape.
We are pleased to have Hopa Brothers Construction Ltd, from our Matakūmea list, carrying out the concrete foundation work during this pivotal stage of the project.
Te Awamutu-based father of four, Cagen Hopa (Mangatoatoa, Parawera), is the Managing Director of Hopa Brothers Construction Ltd.
After 16 years working with another company, he decided to take the next step and start his own business. Now, he and his team are one of the Matakūmea registered pākihi contributing to the foundations of our iwi-led Te Kirikiri Housing Project Development.
“Pretty much, we got all signed up…and then saw this project happening for Maniapoto, and we were pretty keen to get involved and help revitalise our whenua,” he said.
“That was the biggest thing, and then a couple of our whānau, our own kaimahi that are with us today and are on this project, are all affiliated to Maniapoto as well. We’re proud to be in a position to be able to do that for our whānau and even better, to come down here and mahi on the whenua.”
More than 50% of Stage 1 of the project is subcontracted through Matakūmea pākihi.
We are looking forward to welcoming more of our Matakūmea pākihi joining us over the course of the next few months.
We are seeking interest from Maniapoto businesses and contractors, particularly those who may be involved with;
- Block laying
- Internal joinery
- Flooring/Carpet
- Tiling
- Curtains/Blinds
Please use this link to sign up to Matakūmea.
SIGN UP – Matakūmea | Te Nehenehenui Business Collective
Across the rest of the site, work has continued to progress with Schick Civil Construction completing ground works and infrastructure, ready for our build partner, Sentinel Homes.
Stage 1 was handed over during early October to Sentinel Homes, Stage 2 and 3 will be ready to hand over by early next month.
The development itself will include a variation of housing options including:
- 20 accessible two-bedroom homes
- 8 three-bedroom homes
- 12 four-bedroom homes
The range of homes will be designed to meet the diverse needs of whānau, from kaumātua to young families. This project provides whānau with safe, warm, affordable housing.
Construction continues to remain on schedule, with the intention of homes being ready for whānau to move in from July 2027.
For more information about Te Kirikiri and Matakūmea, or to keep up to date with progress on the build, visit our website and head to our Te Kirikiri page to see all the latest updates.