The Government contributed $49m, while Toitū Tairāwhiti provided the rest.
Toitū Tairāwhiti Housing strategy manager Kararaina Calcott-Cribb said the development would “bring the heart of the people alive”.
“The wellbeing that comes from actually being in a place where you’ve got your whānaunga next door.
“You’ve also got nannies in their one- or two-bedroom houses across the way and they’ll all see their mokopuna.
“The importance about actually being here is that whanaungatanga, that kotahitanga, and you know, te āhurutanga, which is about the protection of being in a place like this … you get protection when you’re together.”
Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka said he was “absolutely pumped” to see the development.
“This is so energising and motivating for people like myself and [Housing] Minister [Chris] Bishop to see the fruition of working together with communities to actually deliver product and ultimately the platform for communities, whānau, hapū, iwi to grow together.”
Asked what he would consider to be affordable housing in a place like the East Coast, Potaka said it depended, and became “quite tough” in a one-income family.
“Especially if the affordable rate’s about $600 to $700 a week. That’s actually quite expensive, so the goal for us is to make sure we can build housing in a manner that’s cost-effective, in a way that we can see whānau actually afford it.”
Bishop said it was “awesome” to be in Tairāwhiti, “the best day as Housing Minister – and there are some quite tough days – but the best days are when you get to go and open new houses”.
When asked what he considered affordable housing to be, Bishop also said it depends.
“I’ve just heard that the rental market here is people paying hundreds and hundreds of dollars per week for three or four-bedroom homes and, you know, that’s why we’ve got to build more houses.”
Fifty of the 150 affordable homes at Tūranga Tangata Rite have been completed, with the first tenants to move in next month. Photo/ Leonie Sheehan
Bishop said there was a real housing need in Tairāwhiti.
“We know we’ve got an affordability problem here, there’s no doubt about that.”
Sharon Campbell and sons Rihari and Ngapo stood outside the opening of the stage one development to protest against the Government and encourage Māori to enrol to vote.
Sharon Campbell and her sons, Ngapo and Rihari, support the Tūranga Tangata Rite housing development but protested against the coalition Government. Photo/ Leonie Sheehan
Campbell made it clear she supported the development, but had a simple message for the ministers who attended: “Shame on you.”
“Shame on you for slashing and burning everything to do with the Treaty of Waitangi, te whakaputanga, initiatives that would support the wellbeing of all people who live in Aotearoa.”
Tenants can apply to live at the development by emailing Toitū Housing and indicating their interest.