Maniapoto and officials mark blessing of Te Kirikiri site for 40-home development.
Representatives from Maniapoto alongside officials from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Waikato Regional Council, and Waitomo District Council gathered for the blessing of the Te Kirikiri Housing Development, marking the start of construction to build 40 residential on the Te Kūiti site.
In July, Te Nehenehenui (Post Settlement Governance Entity for Maniapoto) announced the Te Kirikiri Housing Development, a 40-home affordable rental housing project for the iwi located between Mangarino Street and Esplanade in Te Kūiti. The development will be situated on a 3.4-hectare section acquired by the iwi from the Waitomo District Council. The project will be built with funding support from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and is set to transform under-utilised whenua (land) into a community hub for our people.
The Te Kirikiri Development will include:
- 20 accessible two-bedroom homes
- 8 three-bedroom homes
- 12 four-bedroom homes
The name ‘Te Kirikiri’ has been gifted by local hapū, Ngāti Rōrā, and carries the original name of the whenua, recognising the connection and history of those who once lived in the area.
The range of homes will be designed to meet the diverse needs of whānau, from kaumātua to young families. This project enables immediate housing needs to be addressed while building long-term capacity for housing delivery across the rohe.