The new development that’s steeped in Iwi history
Development company partners with local iwi for affordable housing — it’s their second joint project, writes CATHERINE SMITH
Three years ago German boring machine Alice, who intrigued Aucklanders for the two years she took to dig the Waterview tunnel , was sent home.
The huge swathe of land she needed above ground was then turned back to the Marutuahu Iwi, who have partnered with Ockham to build their second development together: Kokihi
The name — meaning to grow — reflects the partners’ commitment to community, to whanau and to whenua, part of the vigorous regeneration of fringe suburb Waterview.
“We’ve had a long-standing interest in affordable housing and density,” says Ockham’s Mark Todd. “It is satisfying to prove you can both make money and lead the market in high quality urban density.
“We’ve got a growing relationship with Marutu¯ a¯ hu since we did Tuitahi in Mount Albert two years ago. When this site came back, we knew it was designed to take the load.”
Ockham architect Martin King — whose previous designs have been nominated for home of the year — tapped into the tukutuku panels that adorn the interior of Hotunui, Nga¯ ti Maru and Marutu¯ a¯ hu iwi’s wharenui in the Auckland War Memorial museum for the layered coloured bricks, mortar colours and concrete panels for Kokihi’s three blocks.
The 95 apartments in the buildings, two of which have lifts, are available in one-bed, some with study, and two-bed designs.
Kokihi’s programme includes 47 Kiwibuild apartments at $500,000 for one bedroom and $600,000 for two bedrooms and will be available for purchase without lottery, says Todd.
King’s design angles the balcony into the living rooms to enhance the feeling of space for the flats, which range from 48sq m for one bed, up to 73 sq m for two beds. Windows are designed to bring light from two angles and there are the expected Ockham high-spec finishes for both interiors and insulation. A heat exchange hot water system will save home owners around 45 per cent on their energy costs.
“The blocks all run north to south, for sun. The eastern apartments get views of Oakley Creek green belt, while there are sea views from the top floors of the western apartments,” he says.
There is a carpark for each apartment (optional extra for Kiwibuild) but the key to building the new community is a shared swimming pool with shared rooms opening to it.
“This needs to be a communal-owned space, ” says Todd. “It’s space to breathe and organise, so that as they grow and change the community can decide how to use it.
“We feel strongly that having that space is worth having one less apartment.” Sale: PRices start from OOne bed plus study from $500,000, two bed from $600,000
Contact: Contact: Joss Lewis, Ockham, 021 245 5155, Nick Reid 021 721 915, Robert Matulich 021 634 059