The Te Kirikiriri site between Mangarino Street and The Esplanade
Ngāti Maniapoto whanau could benefit from 5000 homes Te Nehenehenui Group plans to build across the region over the next 25 years.
Te Nehenehenui Group chief executive Samuel Mikaere aspires to build thousands of homes like the 40-home Te Kirikiri development in Te Kūiti.
Te Nehenehenui Group chief executive Samuel Mikaere told The News he hoped plans for 40 affordable rental homes for Ngāti Maniapoto whanau recently announced for Te Kūiti would be the first of many.
“Our aspiration is to do 200 homes in the first five years, and then hopefully by 2050 have built out to 5000 homes within the Rohe of Maniapoto,” said Te Kūiti based Mikaere.
The region has Ōtorohanga and Te Kūiti at its heart and includes Te Awamutu and Kihikihi in the north, Taumarunui in the south, and Kāwhia and Mōkau in the west.
“It all starts with this initial project,” said Mikaere.
Te Nehenehenui is in procurement phase to build 20 two-bedroom homes, 15 three-bedroom homes and five four-bedroom homes on 3.4 hectares of land it is purchasing from Waitomo District Council between Mangarino Street and The Esplanade.
“Our goal for infrastructure was spades in the ground best case December worst case February,” Mikaere said.
The design will incorporate tikanga Māori and kaupapa-led principles, with native plantings and shared green spaces to support a thriving community.
The $28 million development, funded by $17 million from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development with $11 million from the iwi, is being called Te Kirikiriri and is Te Nehenehenui Group’s first foray into housing development.
Mikaere said the plan had emerged from a strategy that had arisen from the iwi and taken about two years.
Asked about how many whanau might benefit from Te Kirikiriri he said: “I think it’s anywhere between 160 to 220 people.”
“Housing across New Zealand for a particular group of people in the lower socio demographic is challenging, so these homes are sorely needed to support the whanau that wish to stay within the Rohe of Maniapoto,” he said.
“We’ve done our own surveys and were able to ascertain that these homes would be a good start but not necessarily the finishing spot.”
Te Nehenehenui Group is exploring different options for future Māori housing, including rent to buy options, he said.
Asked where Te Kirikiriri’s renters might come from, Mikaere said many would be one step above emergency housing.
“All of this is just an exciting time for Maniapoto,” Mikaere said.
“We are very proud to be able to do this for our people and we look forward to the opening day because it’s very exciting to make a press announcement, but the better part will be when those houses are full and that whole community can feel like it’s been there for a long time and creates a little security for our kids.”
Te Kūiti based Property Brokers sales consultant Mary Tapu said she faced a heartbreaking challenge every week.
“We’re turning away around 20 people every week who are looking for a home, many of them Māori families, kaumātua, and solo parents,” she said.
“Not because they don’t deserve a place to live. Not because they aren’t trying. But simply because there aren’t enough homes.
“I hear the stories every day through our property managers — people desperate for somewhere to live, ready to move in tomorrow if something was available.”
Tapu said regularly having to turn people away weighed heavily on her heart.
“This project brings hope. It gives whānau a second chance and it shows that when groups come together — iwi, developers, community — we can build something truly meaningful. Not just for today, but for generations to come.”
The Te Kirikiriri site between Mangarino Street and The Esplanade will incorporate tikanga Māori and kaupapa-led principles, with native plantings and shared green spaces to support a thriving community. Photo: Chris Gardner
