By Kelvin McDonald of Whakaata Maori
Ngāti Whakaue has celebrated the opening of eight affordable whānau homes in Rotorua.
The homes, which are the first stage of a housing partnership between the iwi and the Government, were officially opened in Owhata on Friday.
“House by house, whānau by whānau, we are working together to address housing needs,” Associate Housing Minister Peeni Henare said in a statement.
“Ngati Whākaue are walking the talk when tackling homeownership rates, with a percentage of homes they build to be sold to Ngāti Whakaue descendants. This could include close to 150 homes.”
