The KiwiBuild programme has helped Ngāi Tahu unlock a block of central Queenstown Crown land to ensure houses will be built targeting first-home buyers.
The development of more than 300 high-density homes – including 100 KiwiBuild – was announced by Housing and Urban Development Minister Phil Twyford this morning.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Kaiwhakahaere Lisa Tumahai says the Gorge Road development is another example of the iwi investing in Aotearoa for future generations.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to address the region’s housing needs in partnership with the Crown. The Queenstown Lakes region is an important part of the Ngāi Tahu footprint, and today’s announcement is the next step for our investment in this community.
“We already have significant property, tourism and farming interests in the area, making us one of the region’s largest employers.”
Ngāi Tahu Property chief executive David Kennedy says an agreement with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to develop these homes will be finalised in coming weeks.
“We hope to build more than 300 homes, predominantly apartments. More than 100 of those will be part of the KiwiBuild scheme, aimed at first-home buyers and priced below $650,000,” Kennedy says.
“We expect this development will be staged and completed over the next five or more years, demonstrating a commitment to a longer-term solution for the people of Tāhuna. We expect the first homes will be ready by the end of 2022.”
Kennedy notes this project is complementary to potential civic projects Ngāi Tahu Property hopes to progress in partnership with the Queenstown Lakes District Council.
“We are very pleased to be developing our relationship with the council. Both parties have a fantastic vision for Queenstown, and we believe this project will be a great step towards realising that.”
Ngāi Tahu Property is now seeking the community’s housing preferences for the new development.
