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Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Park-to-housing plan closer
A bold proposal to transform an Invercargill park into homes for 40 people is one step closer to becoming reality. Last month, Te Pare Kauika Ltd told the council of its plan to build up to 22 residential buildings at Newfield Park, a 1.8ha site in the city's suburbs. The group said it aimed to create a culturally grounded housing community which supported kaumātua and tangata whaikaha (those living with disability). Newfield Park has been earmarked for partial disposal since 2013, and the presentation led to the council revisiting that at a committee level on Tuesday. Te Pare Kauika Ltd kaitohu/director Janice Lee said her team celebrated every time they made it through another small part of the process. The development, Te Kāwai, would protect and nurture the most vulnerable in the community. "This is about whoever it is working with those vulnerable communities to create sustainable change. "We're just wanting to create the change that is going to support all people to have the support to be able to thrive in the community." The value of the project was that it could be replicated and scaled, changing the way aged care and disability transitions were done. It was commended by councillors at the June meeting, and again on Tuesday. Deputy mayor Tom Campbell said he was enthusiastic about the project while Cr Lesley Soper said revoking the reserve status would be the first step in making the land rateable. The committee's decision to recommend revocation and disposal to the full council did not guarantee the final outcome would be the Te Kāwai proposal, she noted. It started the process of revocation which still needed approval from the Department of Conservation. The Minister of Conservation would ultimately have the final say in whether revocation was allowed. The project would create up to 22 residential buildings, a community hub, communal facilities, off-street parking, secure storage and an administration office. It would house up to 40 residents by way of 10 three-bedroom homes and 12 two-bedroom homes. • LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Otago Daily Times
27-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
‘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."
