Te Āhuru Mōwai To Build 10 Affordable Rental Homes In Paekākāriki

New Zealand’s largest Māori-owned Community Housing Provider (CHP), Te Āhuru Mōwai, is pleased to announce the development of 10 new affordable rental homes on Beach Rd, Paekākāriki. The project aims to increase the supply of quality rental housing for local whānau at ‘below market’ prices.

“We are looking forward to providing new homes to whānau in Paekākāriki,” said Te Āhuru Mōwai CEO James Te Puni. “We will be offering these homes with a 20 percent discounted rental price to make them more accessible to a wider number of whānau.

Te Āhuru Mōwai is funding the project with Affordable Housing Grant support from Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. The balance of the development cost is borrowings, provided by Te Āhuru Mōwai funding partner, the Community Housing Finance Agency (CHFA).

Kāpiti Coast District Council’s (KCDC) Community and Affordable Housing Seed Fund supported the initial assessment of the whenua, geotechnical, and wastewater management approach. This was one of several factors that influenced Te Āhuru Mōwai ‘s decision to build in Paekākāriki over other locations.

Te Āhuru Mōwai is owned by Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira and has also engaged with the Paekākāriki Housing Trust (PHT) to seek guidance during the planning stages. PHT’s co-chairs, Daphne Eriksen and Tina Pope, confirmed the Trust’s support for the project, saying, “we are pleased to see this development as it increases the supply of quality housing for local whānau and does so at a discounted rental. The cost of housing is a serious problem, and families are leaving the village because it's so unaffordable. It's great to see a mix of homes in the development, including two kaumātua houses.”

KCDC also expressed their support for the project. Mayor Janet Holborow said “the Community and Affordable Housing Seed Fund was established to encourage community-led housing opportunities in our district, I am excited to see that this initiative is already helping to make a difference towards addressing housing need in our wider community.”

Mr Te Puni said he is hopeful that these new homes will be completed and tenanted by November 2026, and that the community will benefit from them for many years to come.

An information sharing hui with locals will be at 6pm, Wednesday May 7, at St Peters Village Hall, Paekākāriki.

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