"We want to turn this around, with a strategy that clearly sets out where we are now, where we want be in the future and how we plan to achieve better housing for Mori whnau.
"He Whare huru reflects the desire of Mori for tino rangatiratanga because it is about providing pathways from inter-generational dependence to independence, and ensuring that iwi, hap and whnau can acquire warm, safe and dry housing so they can flourish in their community, wherever that might be." She also gave credit to He Korowai Trust chief executive Ricky Houghton and his team.
"No man stands alone to make their dream a reality. I mihi to Ricky. I know the struggle you have been through," she said.
"Those of you who are going to be living in this community are going to reap the benefits of a community that want to enjoy what is essentially Whanau Ora. We've come here today to launch this strategy. We need to support the opportunities that come our way to support our whanau and use it [the strategy] to leverage for more." Mr Bunny told the gathering that housing was massive.
"It makes such a difference to people's lives. A strategy without a plan is a dream. Our challenge is to paddle the waka so we keep momentum," he said.
Mr Houghton did not believe that maintaining momentum would be an issue.
"What you see today are the efforts of a lot of people and a combination of the Minister's products, through the rural and Maori funds," he said.
"To me this is the dream that Whanau Ora offered. It's Whanau Ora in action. We just want a chance to help ourselves. That's what these programmes offer us."
He urged those interested to "have a good read of this strategy. Don't just throw it into your glove box. There's something in it for everyone," he added.
Homes with strings attached
There were 57 applicants for 18 He Korowai Trust homes in Kaitaia. The former State houses, transported north from Glen Innes, Auckland, will be ready for occupation in October, once roading, landscaping and waste water connections have been completed. Nine more are due to be moved on to the site, at the end of Kohuhu Street, over the next month.
The homes come with significant strings attached. Prospective owners, who must have lived in the Far North for at least three years and must have been refused state housing assistance, are required to attend budgeting and specialist programmes for the first five years of their ownership and enrol on one of the a range of on-site NQZA-approved courses, while their children must attend the on-site kohanga or a nearby school.
The homes come with milk, meat, eggs, fruit and vegetables, early childhood education, medical care, budgeting specialists, counselling, parent mentoring and coaching, and purchasers must agree to keep the homes alcohol-, drug- and violence-free.
The no deposit homes will be sold at cost to the families, who will own them after 17 years, with weekly payments of around $240.
