‘Safe, inclusive' housing development planned
An innovative housing development based on Māori cultural principles is planned for Invercargill.
The development, Te Kāwai, is a Te Pare Kauika Ltd project, a group formed to promote whānau-led solutions for the Southland community.
During the public forum of the Invercargill City Council meeting earlier this week Te Kāwai Trust members Vanessa Hutchins, Martin Conway and Janice Lee explained the vision of the project to councillors.
Ms Hutchins said the aim of the project was to provide supported housing for kaumātua (elderly people) and tangata whaikaha (disabled people).
Māori principles of manaakititanga (care for others), whanaungatanga (family) and tino rangatiratanga (self determination) were core to the project.
"We aspire to build a safe and inclusive culturally rich environment that offers companionship, dignity and assisted independence where residents feel connected not only to each other but to the whenua and the community."
The development is expected to provide accommodation for up to 40 residents: 10 three-bedroom, shared homes for tangata whaikaha, two two-bedroom whānau accommodation, and 10 two-bedroom homes for kaumātua.
Other facilities, including a community centre with whānau spaces, kitchen, and administration office, are part of the development.
It was proposed the development would be sited at Newfield Park, a crown reserve which the council had earmarked for disposal in 2013.
Ms Lee said the development would be a good place for people who needed to leave their own homes but were not ready for a rest-home.
Invercargill was known for its innovation.
"We kind of see it as a pilot that could be rolled out elsewhere."
During the question time Mayor Nobby Clark asked who would fund the $14.4 million project.
Ms Hutchins said the trust was working with various groups to explore how the funds could be raised.
Mr Clark said Kai Tahu had first right of refusal if the land was put up for sale but there was no allowance in the budget for the trust to buy the land.
Ms Hutchins said the group was in discussion with Kai Tahu about a possible partnership but it was too early in the process to say how much was needed to buy the land.
Council mana whenua representative Pania Coote said the concept was amazing.
"It's a needed place within our city and I just think having a tikanga type model of care is important because it is inclusive and it does treat the person as a whole."
sandy.eggleston@odt.co.nz
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
9 hours ago
- RNZ News
Teenagers who gain work experience at school more likely to be employed by age 20
Gateway supported short-term, work-based placements while Trades Academies provided learning in trades-related. (File photo) Photo: Supplied/ UCOL Teenagers who gain trade and workplace experience at school are more likely to get a qualification and complete apprenticeships, a report finds. A Ministry of Education report said students who participated in the Gateway and Trades Academy programmes were also more likely to be in substantial employment by the age of 20 than other students with similar characteristics. The report considered the cohorts that participated in the programmes in 2014 and in 2018 and compared their education and employment outcomes with similar students who did not participate. It said Gateway was set up in 2001 and supported short-term, work-based placements while Trades Academies had provided learning in trades-related fields since 2010. "Both programmes increased the likelihood of students staying in education at age 17 and achieving a Level 2 or higher qualification by age 18. "These effects were consistent across genders and ethnic groups," the report said. "Men in both programmes were more likely to enrol in and complete apprenticeships, though rates remained lower for Māori and Pacific men. Women's apprenticeship participation remained low. "Both programmes reduced the likelihood of being in limited employment and increased students being in substantial employment, particularly for men. "Gateway had a stronger effect than Trades Academies in reducing limited employment for women, especially Māori and Pacific women." The report said 87-90 percent of Gateway and Trades Academy students had a level two qualification by the age of 18, compared with 78-79 percent for similar students who had done neither programme. It said 10-12 percent had completed an apprenticeship by age 24, compared with six percent for similar students. About a quarter of the group of similar students were in limited employment when they were 18, compared to 16-19 percent for the cohorts that had participated in the programmes. By age 20, 46-53 percent of the Trades Academy and Gateway cohorts were in substantial employment, compared with 35-38 percent for the group that had done neither programme. The report said the programmes appeared to have "a protective role for educational participation and achievement during the pandemic". Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
a day ago
- NZ Herald
Moana Pasifika's owners reject misuse of public funding claims amid investigation
The owners of Moana Pasifika have rejected allegations of inappropriate use of public funding and say no taxpayer money has been used to support the Super Rugby Pacific team. It comes after the Government's principal policy adviser on Māori wellbeing and development, Te Puni Kōkiri, announced an independent review into
Scoop
a day ago
- Scoop
Allegations Public Money Used By Whānau Ora For 'Electioneering' To Be Investigated
Te Puni Kōkiri (TPK) has launched an independent review into allegations of inappropriate use of public funding appropriated for Whānau Ora commissioning services. The independent review relates to allegations of funding misuse by two agencies, Te Pou Matakana Limited - otherwise known as the Whānau Ora Commissioning Agency - and Pasifika Futures Limited, and would focus on whether the agencies met their contractual obligations when using the public money. The review followed Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka seeking urgent advice on "electioneering concerns" relating to an advertisement encouraging Māori to sign-up to the Māori electoral roll paid for by Te Pou Matakana Limited released this week, and the revelation Super Rugby franchise Moana Pasifika had also received Whānau Ora funds. Te Puni Kōkiri chief executive and secretary for Māori development Dave Samuels said Te Puni Kōkiri had written to both organisations looking for an explanation. "It is in everyone's best interest that we find out what happened. We must safeguard taxpayers' money which is why I have commissioned a thorough review to get to the bottom of these serious allegations," Samuels said. The reviewer and terms of reference for the review were expected to be announced next week, however, Outcome Agreements signed with the two agencies and whether they met their contractual obligations would be in scope. Te Puni Kōkiri said after an open procurement process Whānau Ora had shifted to a new and transparent funding model with data-driven insights, which would make it easier to measure outcomes and ensure value for money. Commissioning contracts with Te Pou Matakana Limited and Pasifika Futures Limited end on Monday, and four new commissioning agencies begin Whānau Ora contracts the next day on 1 July. Te Pou Matakana Limited and Pasifika Futures Limited have been approached by RNZ for comment.
