It’s been a long and, at times, arduous journey to get here — starting with our application to become a registered Community Housing Provider (CHP) in 2023, gaining approval in 2024, and now reaching a major milestone with confirmation of our first CHP housing project.
Ngāti Rēhia has been named among the providers delivering more than 70 new social homes across Northland, as announced by Housing Minister Hon Chris Bishop on 15 October 2025.
This announcement is part of the Government’s nationwide commitment to strengthen community-led housing solutions that meet local needs. Across Aotearoa, more than 6,800 new social homes have been delivered since late 2023, including 424 in Northland. A further 2,000 homes are planned over the next two years, with Te Tai Tokerau identified as one of the highest priority regions due to the scale of housing deprivation.
What This Means for Our Region
For Northland, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has allocated funding for CHP projects expected to deliver:
- 70+ new social homes led by providers including Ngāti Rēhia, Otangarei Papakāinga Ltd, and Habitat for Humanity
- New builds in Whangārei, Maunu, and Kerikeri
- Over 80% one- and two-bedroom homes, directly addressing the biggest gap in available social housing
Nationally, half of those on the housing register need one-bedroom homes, yet only around 12% of Kāinga Ora stock meets that need. In Northland, 81% of applicants require one or two bedrooms — so this investment will make a real difference for whānau across our rohe.
Our Housing Kaupapa
For Ngāti Rēhia, this milestone represents far more than construction. It reflects years of commitment to building mana-enhancing housing — homes that are warm, dry, affordable, and connected to both whānau and whenua.
Through our housing entity, Te Whare Tu Kāinga Ltd, we’re working to develop housing models that reflect who we are as Ngāti Rēhia. These include papakāinga living, intergenerational support, and opportunities for whānau to live in places that restore belonging and stability.
Our approach ensures that every project is not just about bricks and mortar — it’s about rebuilding community wellbeing and whānau pride in place.
A Note on Tenant Enquiries
We know this announcement will bring hope to many in our community who are struggling to find housing. However, we want to be very clear:
Ngāti Rēhia has not yet opened any process for tenant applications or registrations.
All tenant eligibility and allocations are managed nationally through the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) via the Housing Register.
If you or someone you know is in need of social housing, we encourage you to make sure your details are up to date with MSD.
We kindly ask that whānau do not contact our office at this stage to request housing or to go on a waiting list. When details about tenant selection and local allocation become available, we will share them publicly.
Looking Ahead
This announcement marks a turning point in our housing journey — one that began with a vision to provide secure, affordable, and culturally grounded housing for our people.
There is still a long road ahead as we move toward the design, consent, and build phases of our first project. But for now, we take a moment to acknowledge how far we’ve come, and the collective effort that has brought us here.
We look forward to keeping our community updated as the mahi continues.
Read the full Government announcement here: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/70-new-social-homes-way-northland
