Kāinga Tuatahi

Kāinga Tuatahi is an innovative residential development on Ngāti Whātua Orākei tribal land. The development embodies the principles, objectives and aspirations of the Building Better Homes, Towns and Cities Challenge.

This development has, for the first time in New Zealand, unlocked how to build (and fund) quality homes on tribally owned land in a way that also enables members to grow and extract their personal equity.

Most importantly, Kāinga Tuatahi has had a positive impact on the whole Orakei community. Healthy and safe homes, combined with security of tenure, offers occupants (in particular the children) the best start to life possible.

The homes are designed to be:

Adaptable – to accommodate inter-generational living and the changing demographic of the whānau that live within them.

Affordable – all homes have been sold for less than $550,000.

Sustainable – significant features include high levels of insulation, double glazing, cross ventilation of spaces and communal vegetable gardens.

The development features:

Quality design – the architecture takes account of both the physical surroundings and the cultural influences of Ngāti Whātua Orākei.

Quality materials and construction – chosen for ease of construction, durability and low all-of-life costs.

Well thought out planning and design process – one of the first qualifying developments under the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas (HASA) Act 2013.

New technology – the buildings feature solar panels and will have Tesla Energy Powerwall batteries installed. They have also been future proofed for telecommunication network upgrades.

You can follow progress in the design and building of Kāinga Tuatahi which is considered one of Auckland’s best future neighbourhoods.