Construction races ahead at Te Kirikiri development in Te Kūiti

Friday, 3 July 2026

Te Nehenehenui Group CEO Sam Mikaere says construction on the housing development is well ahead of schedule.

Construction is ahead of schedule at the Te Kirikiri affordable housing development in Te Kūiti.

Te Kirikiri is a 40-home rental housing project being delivered by the Te Nehenehenui Group aimed at helping Ngāti Maniapoto whanau into healthy living situations.

Te Nehenehenui Group chief executive Sam Mikaere said the project was the first step of their Te Kawau Rukuroa strategy to help 200 Maniapoto families into homes by 2027 and, hopefully, 5000 by 2050.

The development will provide two, three and four-bedroom homes.

Te Kirikiri housing development will provide affordable rentals for Maniapoto whanau.

“What we’re doing is utilising our ability to create opportunities for families to come in and have a lower cost of living arrangement, and then hopefully give stability to their children.

The development is set to be finished by July 2027.

“The stats that we have been looking at show that our people own less homes, or they’re having to rent in unhealthy areas that are resulting in health issues … our ultimate goal is creating equity across the board for everyone.”

The development is located between Mangarino Street and the Esplanade in Te Kūiti and will deliver 20 two-bedroom homes, 8 three-bedrooms homes and 12 four-bedroom homes.

The development is aimed at supporting people into home ownership. Pictured from left Sam Mikaere, CEO of Te Nehenehenui Group, and Corban Batters, Tika Group Ltd project manager.

They plan to charge up to 80% of the market rent, but are also looking at installing solar power to increase energy efficiency in the homes.

“The four-bedrooms are designed for those younger families who need space and affordability so they can put more money towards an objective like home ownership,” Mikaere said.

Te Kirikiri is the first step on their plan to house 5,000 people by 2050.

They would be looking at people’s location, means and whether they were willing to live under their tikanga to decide if they would qualify to live in the houses.

They are developing these homes for people stuck in the rent cycle and would be introducing financial literacy programmes for residents to aid them into ownership.

Tika Group Ltd project manager Corban Batters reckons its been smooth sailing for the construction.

“We will work with those in need but we’re staying away from focusing on a particular area because we believe that job sits with the Crown and that they have a responsibility to look after those that need emergency housing.

“What we’re trying to develop is a way to help families that have ambition or help our whanau that are looking for a place to live out their final years, so we don’t want to cut people out by setting hard lines.”

The 3.4ha section was purchased by Te Nehenehenui in 2025 from the Waitomo District Council and construction kicked off in February this year.

The organisation had received $17 million from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and $11 million from the iwi to fund it.

Construction is set to be wrapped up by July 2027 and he said they were over a month ahead of schedule. Tika Group Ltd project manager Corban Batters said good weather and competent contractors were making for smooth sailing.

He was especially pleased to have bought Tika Group on board to manage the project, and said the project was the result of years of hard work.

“It’s easy for us to sit here on top of the shoulders of great people and tell you how great we are, but this iwi has always had strong leadership and a strong care for its people. This is just manifesting their vision that they set back in 1988 when the Maniapoto Trust Board was formed.”