One of the first things that was carried into the home was the Christmas tree. The move is a Christmas miracle for the Kaliopasi family who have been living in a small three-bedroom house in severely overcrowded conditions.
The overcrowding, which has seen one of the sons making his bed under the kitchen table each night, has had a significant negative impact on the whole family.
“It has been a very difficult time,” said dad Sione Kaliopasi.
“For a long time, we have been praying to God, and asking Kāinga Ora, for somewhere suitable to live. I know that the local team have been trying really hard to find us a home but I understand there are not many homes available. Now our family has been blessed.
“My wife Alisi has health issues that have really affected her mobility and ability to stand for any length of time. Our old place with just a shower over a deep bath was unsuitable for her. Our new home will make things so much easier for her and change the lives of my whole family.”
The impact of the new home was evident from the joy on Alisi Kaliopasi's face when the keys were handed over and she entered her new home for the first time.
“We are just so grateful to Kāinga Ora and the students who built this home for this great blessing. The students should be so proud of what they have done and the great gift they are giving our family,” she said.
“We need bigger homes in Gisborne so families can stay together. My family have been sleeping in the kitchen, in the lounge — anywhere there is a spot. My school-age children have nowhere to do school work.”
It is the Tongan way for families to want to stay together as one big family, says daughter Sela Kaliopasi.
“Mum and Dad have nine children and six grandchildren. Most of us are still living in Gisborne. Even when we get married we don't want move out to our own place; we want to stay living at home with mum and dad. Then we the grandchildren come around they don't want to leave either. Mum and Dad love that; they can't live without their grandkids around.”
Sela and her husband have been sharing a room with her youngest sister who is still at primary school.
“I am particularly looking forward to having my own room and some space to work efficiently. I am employed by a company based in Auckland but have worked remotely since I moved home to help look after Mum.”
“We know there are many larger families in Te Tairāwhiti like the Kaliopasi family who need a suitable home to raise their children,” said Naomi Whitewood, Kāinga Ora East North Island Director.
“Kāinga Ora is focused on delivering more homes to the region. Whānau have moved into 45 new public homes in the last 18 months and we have another 142 homes in progress. Some of these are in construction and others are still in the procurement or contracting phase. We also have another 86 homes that we are contracted to purchase from developers when they are completed. There are larger homes in the mix that will become available in 2023.”
