“I am proud to able to support this papakāinga project. We are focused on better working with communities, government agencies and local authorities to support the aspirations of iwi and rōpū Māori," says Chief Executive Regional Partnerships, Di Grennell regarding the opening of a new papakāinga for whānau displaced by the Edgecumbe floods.
Published: Friday, 20 April 2018 | Rāmere, 20 Paengawhāwhā, 2018
Te Puni Kōkiri Deputy Chief Executive Regional Partnerships, Di Grennell, today commends the opening of a new papakāinga that will provide much needed housing for whānau still displaced one year on from the Edgecumbe floods.
Ms Grennell attended the opening and blessing of five two-bedroom homes today at Kōkōhīnau Marae, 5km south from Edgecumbe.
“I am pleased to see the first stage of the Kōkōhīnau Marae papakāinga is now complete and will be ready for whānau to move into soon. I want to acknowledge the Marae Trust and Committee – you have shown exceptional manaakitanga, leadership and commitment to provide safe, warm, affordable homes for whānau in this area. You can be proud of what you have achieved today,” says Ms Grennell.
Following the Edgecumbe flooding, which displaced over 80 households, Pahipoto Māori Committee bought their plans for this papakāinga forward to help flood affected whanau.
Te Puni Kōkiri and the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment have both contributed $1,308 million towards the cost of the housing development.
The funding supports infrastructure works for 19 housing sites, with an initial build of five two-bedroom houses.
While there is still a need for temporary accommodation, the houses will support flood affected whanau. As this need subsides, the houses will become kaumātua housing.
Di acknowledges the support of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Whakatāne District Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Easy Build, “with the first stage of the papakāinga now complete, I want to commend all those involved for their dedication to this project to date. What they’ve achieved is a tangible symbol of success of working together to build homes for whānau,” she says.
“I am proud to able to support this papakāinga project as part of the Te Puni Kōkiri Māori Housing Network. Like the Kōkōhīnau Marae papakāinga, we are focused on better working with communities, government agencies and local authorities to support the aspirations of iwi and rōpū Māori.”
ENDS
Hinerangi Barr
Kaitohu Tumuaki | Communications Principal
0800 875 663
027 504 5773
barrh@tpk.govt.nz