Kōhanga Rākau Housing, part of the Ōwhata 2B & 7 Trusts Group, has delivered a significant victory for local whānau, completing 39 affordable rental homes in the heart of Koutu. The project represents a successful rescue mission after the development was salvaged from receivership, marking a new chapter for those calling the site home.
The first three stages of the development are now fully occupied, with 53 whānau – including local koeke, kaumātua, tamariki, and mokopuna – settled in. The remaining stages are set to be tenanted in the coming weeks.
Jason Rogers, Chairman of Ōwhata 2B & 7 Ahuwhenua Trusts, says stepping in to save the development was a matter of duty.
“When we were approached about potentially taking on this development from receivers, we felt we had a duty to see that these homes were completed and families given an opportunity to move into these great homes,” Rogers said.
“With the support of partner MHUD and Community Finance as funder, we were able to negotiate a fair and sensible agreement with the receivers and the rest is history. We’ve now refined a recipe for iwi-led housing that will have a far-reaching impact.”
For Kōhanga Rākau Housing, this kaupapa extends beyond bricks and mortar. The initiative is designed to act as an anchor for stability, protecting families from the uncertainty of private landlords selling properties overnight and allowing whānau to put down roots and build lasting connections within their community.
The development is supported by Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (MHUD) via their Affordable Rental Pathway, with funding from the Community Housing Funding Agency (CHFA).
Jamie Forsman, Director of Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga, noted the vital nature of this collaboration in addressing the housing crisis in Rotorua.
“These kinds of housing partnerships with iwi and Māori providers are vital to creating new warm affordable homes for whānau who face barriers to private rentals and home ownership,” Forsman said. “Turning the tide on housing will take time and we are working hard to make a difference.”
The completion of the Frank Street development marks a significant expansion for Kōhanga Rākau Housing, whose portfolio now spans Ōwhata and Te Puke, totalling 142 homes. As the Trusts look to the horizon for the next phase of their journey, their mission remains centered on well-managed operations and the health and wellbeing of whānau.
