White Associates had the privilege of being a part of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei’s visionary papakāinga housing project on Hawaiki Street, Ōrākei. The development is a testament to Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei’s innovative housing framework, which allows whānau to purchase homes while the iwi retains land ownership. The project is further supported by the Bank of New Zealand (BNZ), by offering hapū members who meet BNZ’s home lending criteria, a BNZ home loan to make, otherwise unattainable housing, more affordable. This model provides whānau with accessible pathways to home ownership, ensuring greater financial security and stability, embodying the principle of Mana Taurite, ensuring equitable access to opportunities for all hapū members.
Since August 2022, we worked alongside the design team and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei to establish an initial cost plan to ensure the client requirements are met. We provided full quantity surveying services including pre contract, procurement and post contract, and embodied Kotahitanga by working together and maintaining a positive and collaborative relationship with the main contractor.
With a strong focus on cost efficiency, this project was completed ahead of programme and under budget, allowing for more focus on the landscaping of the backyards and communal garden areas, located around and outside each apartment. There are now 24 terraced houses, including six with four bedrooms, eight with two bedrooms, and five with four-bedrooms with adjoining Kaumātua units. The dwellings successfully included solar energy and intend to achieve a Homestar (v5) 6 equivalent standard.
White Associates is honoured to have been a part of this aspirational project, helping to create high-quality, affordable homes that strengthen whānau connections to their whenua.
Sarah Moore (Quantity Surveyor) and Justin Maritz (Director), from White Associates who worked on this project, were fortunate to attend the opening karakia where they witnessed the excitement of move in day. We look forward to seeing the positive impact these homes will have on the community and celebrating the success of this collaborative and forward-thinking initiative.