Whakatō Mauri – Breaking of Ground Ceremony for Ngāti Porou Housing

‍

On Thursday 16th January 2025, Ngāti Porou celebrated a monumental step forward with a Whakatō Mauri (breaking of ground ceremony) to mark the commencement of Te Mano o Hamo – the affordable housing development located on Tyndall Road, Kai Iti, Gisborne.  Te Mano o Hamo is more than just a housing project, it embodies Ngāti Porou’s unwavering commitment to addressing the pressing housing challenges that whānau are faced with. This development is about creating pathways to housing stability and well-being.

‍

A Vision of Stability and Opportunity

The $16.6 million-dollar project will see the construction of 48 homes - 8 Kaumātua flats, 16 duplexes, 12 two-level apartments, and 12 three-level apartments. Each dwelling is designed to the highest standards, ensuring warmth, health, and safety, while encouraging a sense of communal living.

This development also seeks to ease the financial burdens that often weigh heavily on our whānau. Its purpose is to assist whānau with home ownership, allowing them to redirect their resources toward other essential needs. It is a vital step in breaking the cycle of housing insecurity and creating lasting, sustainable change.

‍

A Collaborative Effort for Long-Term Change

The partnership between Te Rūnanganui o Ngāti Porou and the Ministry of Housing is a collaboration that stands as a powerful symbol of what can be achieved when vision, determination, and a shared commitment to the well-being of the community come together. ‍

‍

‍Upholding Ngāti Porou Values

Te Mano o Hamo is not only about physical infrastructure, but also a manifestation of Ngāti Porou’s values: unity, resilience, and a forward-looking vision that centres the well-being of whānau and by empowering whānau with stable housing.

‍

The Whakatō Mauri ceremony was a powerful moment of collective celebration, marking the beginning of a journey toward greater opportunity, stability, and prosperity for Ngāti Porou whānau.

‍