Kāinga Ora plans to finish the Delhi Ave project next year. Photo / Mike Tweed
A social housing development in the Whanganui suburb of Aramoho has drawn the ire of some neighbouring residents.
But the Government’s housing agency, Kāinga Ora, says their concerns have been considered.
The Chronicle reported on March 4 that Kāinga Ora would submit consent applications for 10 new homes on a 3540sq m site at 32 Delhi Ave next month.
In 2023, Delhi Ave residents Deb Fredrikse, Laurel Stowell and Ben Zolno met with Whanganui District Council and Kāinga Ora representatives on the site to raise concerns.
The trio then surveyed about 20 surrounding households.
Fredrikse said while most people surveyed were not completely opposed to the development, there were concerns about drainage, parking, possible anti-social behaviour and the number of homes on the site.
“People felt like five or six [homes] would integrate well into the current situation,” she said.
“At that time, Kāinga Ora felt they didn’t need to consult which contradicts their mission statement of working alongside communities for sustainability and inclusion.”
Whanganui MP Carl Bates said he shared constituents’ concerns with Kāinga Ora last year.
“It was determined the project wasn’t going ahead because it didn’t meet Kāinga Ora’s financial viability,” he said.
“Then changes were made, it was reassessed and announced in February that it met financial criteria.
“Concerns were raised again and, again, we shared them with Kāinga Ora earlier this month.”
Kāinga Ora’s decisions on “where they build and what they build” were operational and he was not involved in that process, he said.
The Chronicle reported last August 138 proposed Kāinga Ora homes in Whanganui had been cut to seven, although other options were being considered for the sites.
Kāinga Ora now plans to build eight two-bedroom homes and two four-bedroom homes at Delhi Ave.
Delhi Ave resident Sarah Tyler said she hoped families would move into the new houses.
“Basically, anyone who wants to use it as a base to build a better life,” she said.
“Maybe if it were rent-to-buy, people would have a vested interest in looking after their house and being part of the community.”
Kāinga Ora Taranaki, Manawatū and Whanganui acting regional director Sarah Willson said it began engaging with the community about plans for Delhi Ave in 2024.
“We received a range of feedback through in‑person conversations, emails and phone calls," she said.
“Since then, we’ve reviewed our social housing pipeline to ensure we’re getting the best value for money from our projects and we’re delivering new houses in the areas of greatest need.
“Following this review, we have decided to progress with this development.”
Kāinga Ora had communicated that update recently via an online interactive map and a letter drop to surrounding residents, Willson said.
“Some concerns the community raised with us earlier included the lot size, car parking and flood mitigation, which have been assessed and approved as part of Whanganui District Council’s resource consent process.
“This development meets all council planning requirements.”
A Kāinga Ora spokesperson said 60 letters were delivered on February 13 to surrounding residents, which covered “a wide area around the development”.
Fredrickse said she had not received the letter and learned about the consent applications in the Chronicle.
“We will be accused of being ‘nimbys’ [not in my backyard] but we are not. We are not against social housing.
“Housing is absolutely needed but the integrity of the street also needs to be respected.
“All we are asking for is a bit of formal consultation with all the parties involved.”
Kāinga Ora aims to complete the Delhi Ave project, which has a budget of about $6.24 million, next year.
Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sport to music. At present his focus is local government, primarily Whanganui District Council.