Housing stock gets big boost

Wellington’s housing stock will see a boost following a rapid sale of land by Wellington iwi to a private developer.

Fifty-six two and three-bedroom terraced homes have been built through a partnership deal between iwi and The Wellington Company.

The site in Petone, Lower Hutt, called Paetutu, was offered to Taranaki Wha¯nui under its right of refusal as part of its Treaty of Waitangi settlement, a group of iwi that settled in the Wellington region in the 1830s.

The Jackson St area was blessed yesterday, with the first residents set to move in soon.

Of the 56 new owners, 14 are iwi. A portion of money from all sales in the development to go to the iwi membership.

With Ma¯ ori home ownership rates below that of the national average, Ian Cassels, of The Wellington Company, said the presales were a useful way to protect members from ‘‘bidding wars’’.

‘‘I’m pleased to see iwi members have done well with this housing opportunity,’’ he said.

Cassels has had work under way to build more than 100 homes on Jackson St and beside Adelaide Rd in central Wellington.

The homes feature courtyard gardens while the widerneighbourhood designs include planting and a walkway with artworks by Len Hetet.

Te Tumu Ka¯inga (Taranaki Wha¯ nui’s housing delivery partner) chair Brae Watkins said the development featured public river access and art, which complemented the medium-density housing and new community.

‘‘The Wellington Company and Te Tumu Ka¯inga worked together to increase overall housing supply for the area, but even more significantly, it’s been done in a way that benefits our uri both financially and culturally.’’

The development name, Te Ara o Paetutu, is the first te reo street name in Lower Hutt.

The Wellington Company is also managing the construction of Te Puna Wai papaka¯ inga housing project in Wainuiomata, which will house 89 families.