February 28, 2017
Ngaruawahia home expands into papakainga
A Ngaruawahia whanau has built a 9-bedroom whare in what it sees as a bridge to members eventually being able to afford their own homes.
Rangita Turner says the project has been four years in the making, since the whanau worked with Te Puni Kokiri to develop a wanau plan encompassing health, education, housing, cultural identity and business development.
She says 10 adults and nine tamariki spanning four generations will initially live in the papakainga, which is based around the original home close to Turangawaewae Marae where her parents brought up their eight children.
"We're pretty close as a whanau so we thought we can all live together. The ones living in it will be the whanau members who are looking at home ownership eventually. We are using our collective resources, sharing the financial obligations. It's about working smarter, not harder I suppose," Ms Turner says.
As whanau evolve and move out into their own homes the house can become an asset for younger generations.
The initiative is supported by Te Puni Kokiri's Maori housing network.
FULL INTERVIEW WITH RANGITAA TURNER
Copyright © 2017, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com