Housing initiative gets $113,000 funding boost

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Four community groups were supported with grants totalling $178,000 in the latest distribution round from Trust Tairāwhiti.

Hikurangi Enterprises Limited, a not-for-profit whānau housing initiative, was approved $113,000 to go towards lease costs, enabling it to extend its existing site and increase manufacturing capacity.

Its Whare Ora Build project provides locally built, healthy and affordable housing solutions to whānau, with more than 30 homes built over a one-year period.

The houses are sold at close to the cost-of-building price, significantly reducing barriers for low-income whānau in securing a home.

Hikurangi Enterprises plans to double production at its existing site and develop an additional site at Ruatorea.

Hinenu Whanui Charitable Trust received $30,000 to go towards the Wai to Muriwai pilot project, an initiative to provide households in Muriwai with close access to free, potable water.

The Tokomaru Bay Heritage Trust was granted $25,000 to get a fundraising professional to help access further funds for the rebuild of the Tokomaru Bay Wharf.

Rangatira Marae received $10,000, originally towards assessing the stopbank conditions pre-Cyclone Gabrielle. This has since been repurposed as the marae addresses its marae and flood recovery plans.

“Each of the projects and initiatives align with the Trust’s wellbeing framework, He Rangitapu He Tohu Ora, and will lead to meaningful outcomes for Tairāwhiti communities,” a Trust Tairāwhiti statement said.

The next funding round for applications closes on May 19 for those under $10,000 and June 6 for those over $10,000.