| 119 T T Kelly Deeks Recognition for community impact Designed without fences, the papakāinga encourages interaction and shared responsibility. Te Āwhina Marae o Motueka Society “Our kaumātua love it. They do not feel put out to pasture. They are part of the energy. They contribute, they are valued, and they are living on their own whenua.” COMMUNITY Te Āwhina Marae o Motueka Society Incorporated is proving housing is about more than bricks and mortar. As a finalist in the Community Impact category at the Nelson Pine Industries Business Awards, the marae is being recognised for its service to whānau as well as the delivery of one of the most significant Māori housing developments in Te Tauihu. Te Āwhina Marae o Motueka Society Incorporated executive officer Miriana Stephens says being named a finalist alongside other community organisations is an honour. “We are grateful to be recognised,” she says. “Looking at the other groups in that category, they are all winners in their own right.” The recognition follows completion of the Te Āwhina papakāinga development, the largest Māori housing project in the top of the South. Backed by nearly $14 million in funding, including support from Te Puni Kōkiri, Rātā Foundation, and Whakarewa Trust, and Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua, the project has delivered 20 new homes and upgraded six existing houses. All 26 homes are now occupied, and a waiting list is steadily growing. Miriana says the strength of the development lies in its intergenerational model. “Many social housing models group people by age or circumstance. What we have created reflects a real community. We have kaumātua, young families, people in work, business owners, single people, and multi generational households. It is a village.” Designed without fences, the papakāinga encourages interaction and shared responsibility. Residents check in on one another, help with everyday tasks, and support those who may be struggling. “If someone is not doing well, we know. That is the strength of living collectively. It is about looking after one another like we used to.” About 35 tamariki live in the papakāinga. Cousins grow up together, elders are visible and involved, and families support one another day to day “Our kaumātua love it. They do not feel put out to pasture. “They are part of the energy. They contribute, they are valued, and they are living on their own whenua.” Some residents will use the affordable rental model as a pathway to home ownership, saving deposits while remaining connected to community. Privacy can be limited, Miriana acknowledges, but the benefits outweigh the challenges. “It is a culture shift. We have not lived this way for hundreds of years. There are challenges because people know your business, but it also means support is right there when you need it.” As a living marae, Te Āwhina regularly hosts manuhiri and events. Having residents nearby strengthens its ability to manaaki visitors and sustain operations. A collective garden supplies kai for families, while shared spaces include a community hub for exercise classes, kapa haka practices, and community group meetings, and an outdoor kitchen for community feasts. Health services are also linked, with Te Piki Oranga working alongside the community and whānau supporting whānau to access care when required. In another significant achievement for Te Āwhina Marae o Motueka, the papakāinga has also been named the South Island’s first registered Māori community housing provider. Miriana believes the model offers a blueprint for housing development across Aotearoa, particularly as rental availability remains tight. “When we first looked at this project, there were only a handful of rentals available locally and they were expensive. Families and elders were struggling.” Today, Te Āwhina stands as a regional exemplar of Māori led housing, restoring connection to whenua and strengthening intergenerational ties. “It is not just about housing. It is about identity, belonging, and collective wellbeing. If we redesign our systems around identity, belonging, and community, there are far more positives than negatives.” Ngāti Rārua Ātiawa Iwi Trust Level 1, Wakatū House 28 Montgomery Square, Nelson PO Box 13 Nelson 7040 Tel: 03 548 0770 www.nrait.co.nz Whakarewa ki te Rangi, Pūmau ki te Whenua Proudly Supporting Te Awhina Marae o Motueka Society Nelson & Queenstown | 03 547 9469 | info@scotts.co.nz | www.scottconstruction.co.nz Over 50 years of building excellence Proudly supporting Te Awhina Marae o Motueka Society COMMERCIAL | MAINTENANCE | CIVIL |
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