Establishing ‘new roots’ as Kāinga Ora provides Gisborne families place to call home

Family and friends join new residents of the Kāinga Ora social housing complex in Stanley Rd. “I’m excited now because my babies have got a roof and that’s what matters the most," said one of the new residents. Photo/ Leonie Sheehan

Eight new Kāinga Ora social housing homes on Stanley Rd were blessed today, with residents gathering to meet and enjoy kai with their new neighbours.

The six two-bedroom and two three-bedroom homes – located in the block between Childers Rd and School Rd – are within walking distance of schools, supermarkets and health services.

Karen Morris, housing navigator for Ngāti Porou Oranga, has been involved with three families moving into the new development.

Morris said most of the residents were looking forward to living somewhere where they could establish “their roots”.

Many of the families had been in emergency housing before moving to transitional housing.

Some had been hesitant to put their kids in kindergartens, not knowing where they might end up.

“They’ve locked in their future from here,” Morris said. “They can start booking them into schools and getting everything like that. It’s security. It’s safety. Everybody deserves a house.”

Heather Edwards was living in a caravan for six years before moving into transitional housing. She now has a two-bedroom home with her 3-year-old grandson.

Edwards said she was excited at the prospect of getting some peace and quiet, and a new oven to bake bread.

“I’m loving every minute of it at the moment – a bit overwhelmed, but in a good way,” she said.

Alexsandra Duncan is moving in with her two children – a 4-year-old and a 3-month-old.

Duncan said she had been “pretty much homeless”, going from house to house or living in a car.

The housing development was going to change her life, she said.

“I’m excited now because my babies have got a roof and that’s what matters the most. I don’t need to worry, or look behind my back, or think about the next day – the struggle part of life. I’m just really happy at the moment.”

Among the other young mothers moving into the development is Tio Hooper, who has been staying at her great-grandmother’s home.

Hooper is excited to be able to give her 9-month-old “stability”.

Theo Akroyd, the Kāinga Ora community development and engagement manager for Tairāwhiti, blessed the homes one by one and encouraged everyone to go inside and spread aroha.

“It’s the reward for all the mahi that goes on,” he said. “It’s a real blessing to be able to come along and do this and see the smiles on the faces of our whānau, who are pleased to get a brand new home.”

Families shared kai with their new neighbours, police officers and some of the Kāinga Ora and TW Construction team.

Built in 10 months by TW Group, using mostly local labour and subcontractors, the homes were bought by Kāinga Ora for social housing.

“These homes will give our tenants warm, dry and healthy places to live that suit their needs now and in the future,” said Graeme Broderick, Kāinga Ora regional director for East North Island.

More than 150 new state homes have been delivered in Gisborne in the past three years. Seventy state homes are either contracted or under construction.