24 | Hastings District Council: Alexander Construction - Te Pā Harakeke T T Karen Phelps New housing for Flaxmere seniors The complex will offer four different unit types arranged across 12 blocks, accommodating diverse needs and preferences. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Construction of Hastings’ first new senior housing complex in 40 years, Te Pā Harakeke, is gathering pace, part of a concerted programme of work to increase housing availability and choice in Hastings district. “Te Pā Harakeke is a place designed with aroha and dignity, a place where our seniors can live with independence and connection in the heart of Flaxmere,” says Hastings mayor Sandra Hazlehurst. “It’s inspiring to see such rapid progress on a development that will make a real difference for our people.” In 2019, Hastings became a pilot for the government’s place-based housing initiatives that provide suitable housing solutions for individual communities. Hastings District Council partnered with a number of other agencies, organisers and stakeholders to deliver warm, dry and secure housing needed for people and whānau in Hastings. These partners included Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga, Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga - Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Ministry of Social Development, Kāinga Ora - Homes and Communities, Te Puni Kōkiri, Hawke’s Bay District Health Board and other housing providers. Through these partnerships, about 10,000 new homes are set to be delivered in Flaxmere over the next 10 years, and Te Pā Harakeke is among them, a 39-unit, affordable rental senior housing project in the suburb’s town centre. Mayor Hazlehurst says the development represents a significant investment in Flaxmere’s housing stock, supported by the government’s Affordable Housing Fund that is providing $7.2 million through Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga - Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. Alexander Construction (HB) Ltd is building the complex on behalf of Hastings District Council, with completion scheduled for June 2026. The build started in April this year and is taking shape fast, with three carpentry crews now working simultaneously on the project. Several concrete slabs have been poured, and other progress spans everything from subfloor piping and framing through to cladding preparation and mid-floor installation. Civil infrastructure is advancing in parallel, with sewer connections and manholes installed, power company Unison well into laying electrical infrastructure, and car park construction progressing steadily. Located on an 8760sqm site in Flaxmere town centre, the development is positioned near essential amenities, including the community centre, library, pool and other services creating connected, active and accessible living for older residents. Mayor Hazlehurst explains that the name Te Pā Harakeke draws inspiration from the harakeke (flax) plant, symbolising family values where mature outer blades shelter younger shoots. “This metaphor reflects the development’s purpose of providing security and community for elderly residents, as well as honouring Flaxmere’s historical connection to the flax plant, once central to local textile and aquaculture industries,” she says. The complex will offer four different unit types arranged across 12 blocks, accommodating diverse needs and preferences. One-bedroom, single-storey units of 48sqn will be available alongside larger options, including two-bedroom, two-storey units spanning 84sqm. Each unit features modern materials and a cohesive colour palette, with front entrances facing public roads to enhance connectivity. Future-proofing remains a key design consideration, with chairlift-ready power sockets acknowledging residents’ changing needs over time. The design incorporates Te Aranga design principles, developed in collaboration with cultural advisors, including Hastings District Council’s Pou Ahurea - advisor relationships, responsiveness and heritage, Charlie Ropitini. These principles celebrate local heritage through culturally authentic elements, including gabled rooflines echoing traditional whare, harakeke-inspired colour palettes and landscaping. Private patios at the rear of the units connect to central communal areas featuring gardens, a pavilion and walkways, fostering community interaction. The development includes 40 parking spaces across two areas accessible from Pam O’Keefe Avenue, with four spaces designated for accessibility needs. Ph: 06 844 0223 26 Guppy Road, Greenmeadows, Napier 4112 www.studio26architects.co.nz Proudly Supporting Hastings District Council Explore your ideas in 3D Virtual Reality and see your concept come to life – all before you build!
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