Housing / Te Whare Tū Kainga
Ngāti Rēhia housing work, projects, and support pathways.
We are working to grow housing options for whānau over time. This page explains what is underway, what is still developing, and where our current limits sit.
Our Housing Approach
Our Housing Approach
What this page answers
What is Ngāti Rēhia trying to achieve in housing, overall?
Ngāti Rēhia, through Te Whare Tū Kainga Limited, is working to grow housing options for our whānau over time.
Te Whare Tū Kainga Limited was established as a wholly owned charitable subsidiary to support housing delivery, asset management, and long-term housing growth. It helps ringfence financial and operational risk from the wider Trust while keeping housing delivery grounded in Ngāti Rēhia values and tikanga.
Housing is not separate from wider whānau wellbeing. Stable housing supports health, education, employment, cultural connection, and long-term whānau stability.
What we are working towards
Our long-term aspiration is to support warm, secure, and affordable housing for those living in, or reconnecting with, Te Riu o Ngāti Rēhia, with a strong focus on Ngāti Rēhia whānau.
A staged approach
Housing development takes time. Land, planning, consenting, funding, infrastructure, design, partnerships, tenancy management, and long-term maintenance all need to be worked through carefully.
Our approach is to build steadily, make careful decisions, and avoid overpromising to whānau.
Housing Aspirations and Strategy
Housing Aspirations and Strategy
Strategic housing objective
Ngāti Rēhia aspires to ensure that those living in, or reconnecting with, Te Riu o Ngāti Rēhia have their housing needs met.
This housing work is guided by a wider strategy that looks beyond individual projects. The focus is on building capability, strengthening partnerships, improving access to housing support, and creating long-term housing pathways for whānau.
The strategy recognises that housing need is not only about supply. Whānau may also need advocacy, tenancy support, financial education, navigation, information about housing options, and pathways into secure tenure.
One Stop Housing Hub
Establish a central housing hub in Kerikeri where whānau can access housing advice, support, information, and service connections in one place.
Representation and Advocacy
Support effective Ngāti Rēhia representation and participation in housing decision-making across Te Riu o Ngāti Rēhia.
Community Engagement
Maintain strong engagement with whānau and community so housing planning reflects real needs, pressures, and aspirations.
Housing Wānanga
Create opportunities for Ngāti Rēhia members, whether living inside or outside Te Riu o Ngāti Rēhia, to engage in housing kōrero and planning.
Affordable and Public Housing
Invest in affordable housing opportunities in Kerikeri and Waipapa, including secure tenure, affordable rent, and future pathways to home ownership where feasible.
Whānau Support
Provide or facilitate housing advocacy and navigation so whānau can find, access, and sustain appropriate housing where possible.
Strategic priorities
- Develop a sustainable economic, social, and cultural base for the continued growth of the hapū.
- Improve education, employment, housing, social, health, and wellbeing outcomes for whānau.
- Focus on kaitiakitanga initiatives within the taiao of the rohe.
- Create a sustainable and thriving community for the hapū.
Housing workstreams
The wider housing strategy includes papakāinga housing, residential housing development, property investment, and affordable or public housing. Each workstream has a different role and will progress at a different pace.
Affordable and public housing focus
The affordable and public housing workstream is the most directly connected to current projects. It focuses on secure tenure, affordable rent, housing advocacy, public housing management, and pathways that may support future home ownership.
Current and Proposed Housing Projects
Current and Proposed Housing Projects
Ngāti Rēhia is working on housing projects at different stages. Some are in development, some are progressing through Community Housing Provider arrangements, and others are still proposed.
Availability depends on the project type, eligibility, approvals, funding, delivery timelines, and tenancy processes. Not every project will be available to all whānau, and not every project is ready for tenancy.
Te Tui Ora, Hall Road, Kerikeri
Te Tui Ora is an affordable housing development on Hall Road, Kerikeri, being delivered in partnership with Gemscott.
The project is not yet delivering completed homes, and there are no current tenancies available through this development. Further information is available on the dedicated Te Tui Ora page.
View Te Tui Ora project pageKing Street, Kerikeri
King Street is Ngāti Rēhia’s first Community Housing Provider project, delivered in partnership with Home Capital Partners.
- Six homes in central Kerikeri
- Four two-bedroom terraced homes
- Two three-bedroom duplex homes
- Designed for public housing outcomes through the CHP model
Community Housing Provider housing is intended for eligible households who may not be able to access or sustain housing in the private rental market. Access depends on housing need, eligibility, and the processes that apply to community housing.
Cobham Road, Kerikeri
Ngāti Rēhia has submitted an application for a further Community Housing Provider development at Cobham Road, in partnership with Home Capital Partners.
- Twenty homes proposed
- Ten one-bedroom apartments
- Four two-bedroom homes
- Six three-bedroom homes
This project is not yet approved, funded, or built. Any future timeline, scale, or availability will depend on planning approvals, funding decisions, and project delivery requirements.
Supporting housing through planning and consenting
Housing development is supported by Ngāti Rēhia’s Whare Taiao team where planning, Resource Management Act processes, and Cultural Impact Assessment work are required.
The housing team and Whare Taiao work alongside each other, but their roles are distinct. Te Whare Tū Kainga Limited focuses on housing delivery. Whare Taiao supports planning, environmental, and cultural assessment processes.
Visit the Whare Taiao pageHousing Journey EOI
Housing Journey, Expression of Interest
The Housing Journey Expression of Interest helps Ngāti Rēhia understand housing need across our whānau and community.
It is a planning tool. It allows whānau to share information about their current housing situation, household needs, and future housing aspirations. This information helps Ngāti Rēhia plan future housing work based on real need.
Why the EOI exists
Housing projects require evidence. Before new housing can be planned, funded, or developed, we need to understand what whānau are experiencing and what types of housing are needed.
What happens after you submit an EOI
After you submit an EOI, your information is recorded and used to help build a clearer picture of housing need. You may not receive immediate follow-up. Completing the EOI does not mean a housing opportunity is currently available.
Who should complete the EOI
You may wish to complete the EOI if you are a Ngāti Rēhia whānau member or local whānau member who wants to share your housing situation for future planning.
What this EOI is not
The Housing Journey EOI is not a housing application, a waiting list, a tenancy register, a guarantee of housing now or in the future, or a pathway to emergency accommodation.
- Not a housing application
- Not a waiting list
- Not a guarantee of housing
- Not emergency accommodation
Urgent Housing Need
Housing and Urgent Housing Need
Homelessness and housing instability are serious issues across Te Tai Tokerau. Many whānau are dealing with insecure housing, unaffordable rent, overcrowding, unsafe homes, or having no stable place to stay.
Ngāti Rēhia recognises the pressure many whānau are under. We also need to be clear about what support we can and cannot provide.
We do not operate emergency or transitional housing
Ngāti Rēhia does not currently operate emergency housing, transitional housing, night shelter accommodation, or short-term crisis housing. This means we cannot provide an immediate place to stay, allocate overnight accommodation, or place whānau directly into housing through our current housing projects.
How Whānau Ora Navigators may be able to help
While Ngāti Rēhia does not currently provide emergency housing, Whānau Ora Navigators work alongside whānau who are experiencing housing stress or homelessness.
- Helping whānau understand available services
- Supporting referrals to appropriate agencies
- Advocacy with government or community providers
- Helping whānau prepare information for appointments
- Connecting whānau with wider social supports
Navigator support does not guarantee housing. It can help whānau work through systems and identify the next practical steps.
More about our Whānau Ora servicesOur Role and Limits
Our Role and Limits
Ngāti Rēhia is working to grow housing options over time, but our current role has clear limits. Being clear about these limits helps whānau find the right support sooner, especially where the need is urgent.
What we currently do
- Housing development planning and delivery where projects are feasible
- Community Housing Provider partnerships
- Affordable housing planning
- Whānau engagement and needs assessment
- Housing Journey EOI information gathering
- Housing advocacy and navigation through Whānau Ora support
- Evidence and data gathering to support future development decisions
What we do not currently do
- Emergency housing
- Transitional housing
- Night shelter or overnight accommodation
- Short-term accommodation
- Immediate housing placements
- Private market rentals
- Direct housing allocation through the Housing Journey EOI
- Guaranteed tenancy offers
Strategic Growth Areas
Future Housing Focus
Ngāti Rēhia’s housing work is staged. Future growth will depend on confirmed funding, partnerships, planning approvals, and operational capacity.
One Stop Housing Hub
A future central hub in Kerikeri where whānau can access housing advice, support, and service connections in one place.
Housing Needs Assessment
Ongoing work to understand Ngāti Rēhia members’ housing conditions and needs so future developments are shaped by evidence.
Kaumātua and Kuia Housing
Future housing options that support older whānau wellbeing, accessibility, and connection to place.
Affordable Housing Builds
Partnerships to deliver affordable rentals and possible ownership pathways in key areas such as Hall Road, King Street, and Cobham Road.
Sustainable Funding Model
A diversified funding base across public, philanthropic, private, and partnership channels.
Housing with Support
Housing work that sits alongside health, education, whānau support, cultural connection, and tenancy sustainability.
Other Housing Options
Other Housing and Support Options in Te Tai Tokerau
Ngāti Rēhia is working to grow housing options over time, but we are not the right pathway for every housing situation. Some whānau may need support that sits outside our current housing role.
Te Hau Ora o Ngāpuhi (THOON)
Offers housing support services in Kaikohe and surrounding areas.
Habitat for Humanity – Northern Region (HFH)
Offers progressive home ownership, home repairs, and financial mentoring.
Te Rūnanga o Whaingaroa (TROW)
Based in Whangaroa, provides housing support including transitional housing.
Ngāti Hine Health Trust (NHHT)
Offers a range of housing support services.
He Korowai Trust (Kaitaia)
Delivers transitional and emergency housing services in the Far North.
MSD – Public Housing Register
Public housing (e.g. Kāinga Ora homes) is accessed through the Ministry of Social Development.