Kiripatea and husband Albert registered their interest last February and were chosen to be involved in the scheme.
As part of the deal the family members contribute 500 hours of their time, helping with the building of their own home and then with the next family's home.
The couple took to painting and Mrs Kiripatea learnt how to use a hammer.
They went through four stages before reaching the last one today.
This morning the family became the official owner of the new home. "It took a while, but we are very excited to finally have our own home," Mrs Kiripatea said.
The family of seven has been living in a substandard rental home which often left her children sick.
Coughing and sneezing was a common sound in the household.
The cold rooms were the perfect habitat for mould outbreaks, she said.
For a large family, the rental property wasn't great.
The children had to bunk down together in three rooms while the couch doubled as a bed.
The new home in Fleming Cres has four bedrooms, giving the family lots of space.
Mrs Kiripatea couldn't believe it when she found out the new house was just five houses down from her childhood home.
"I know some of our neighbours, as they haven't changed since I was there."
The family couldn't wait to move into their shiny new home.
"It's a feeling I can't explain - we just feel very blessed and fortunate."
Habitat for Humanity has given her family a new start.
"We can begin a new journey with stability and certainty."
She said it was an opportunity that didn't come often.
"We are not only able to start afresh but can do it in the best place possible."
The whole process had given the family a new outlook on life and had made them appreciate the scheme and it's volunteers a great deal.
"Our ties to Habitat for Humanity will carry on forever, as they have positively changed our life."
