Whai Kainga - Whai Oranga - Housing
In June 2022, Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi leaders were preparing to enter into a Housing Investment partnership with the Whai Kāinga Whai Oranga Crown agencies, Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga - The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, and Te Puni Kōkiri - The Ministry of Māori Development. At the time, $45.3 million was being granted to Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi to achieve their housing aspirations to build warm healthy and affordable homes for whānau who need them most.
Whai Kāinga Whai Oranga is a four-year, $730 million commitment to speed up the delivery of Māori-led housing and is jointly administered between Ministry for Housing and urban Development and Te Puni Kōkiri. Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi is one of four Iwi housing prototypes which is a partnership between the Crown and the National Iwi Chairs Forum. The Kahungunu Prototype will work with whānau and partners to facilitate plans to build up to 131 new homes (made up of Papakāinga or Affordable/Social housing rentals) across the Kahungunu rohe.
In 2023 the iwi employed Steve Gordon, Jane Cunningham and Hannah Kupa-Elliot to initiate the Whai Kainga Whai Oranga housing aspirations for the iwi, however Cyclone Gabrielle hit Hawke's Bay on 14 February 2023. Fortunately the Housing team were quick to move into providing emergency housing to support affected whānau. This project still exists today, however significant progress has been made.
On the 12th November 2024, Te Piringa Hapū Authority (based at Omahu Marae) blessed 11 houses destined to provide accommodation for their whānau still displaced by Cyclone Gabrielle. Over 200 homes in Omahu were impacted by the Cyclone and while many have returned to their repaired homes, some are still not able to inhabit their homes due to classification, significant damage or insurance conditions. Several cabins have been provided to others who have made these their temporary homes while they navigate options for the future.
In January 2025 the Housing team moved back into progressing the Whai Kainga Whai Oranga Housing project. Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated is committed to enabling the well-being of whānau and are exploring various housing options to support whānau into affordable homes.
