Mayor and local MP welcome positive step in Hutt City housing plan
Lower Hutt Mayor Ray Wallace and local list MP Ginny Andersen say a meeting with Housing Minister Phil Twyford and
Housing NZ yesterday is a positive step towards a partnership that could make a real difference for generations of Hutt
City residents to come.
The meeting was to discuss Housing NZ’s (HNZ) plans to build 300 new units in Lower Hutt and also refurbish existing
stock.
Mayor Wallace says he welcomes the project as it will provide much needed, high-quality housing stock in Lower Hutt, and
contribute significantly to Council’s own work to rejuvenate the city.
“We believe HNZ’s upcoming investment into Lower Hutt presents a great opportunity to work more closely together to
create a collaborative and holistic, long-term approach to housing in our city, which builds on the initial project now
getting underway in Epuni.
“We are putting the long-term wellbeing of tamariki, their whanau and communities at the heart of decision-making, and
it would be great to include social housing in that.
“Today’s meeting was a positive one. We have agreed to work together going forward and I want to make sure we keep this
momentum going.”
Ginny Andersen, Labour MP based in Hutt South says “A strong relationship between this Government and the Council is
crucial to delivering more affordable housing to people in the Hutt. I am committed to doing everything I can to see the
Epuni development proceed as quickly as possible. It’s just great to see the Minister for Housing and the Mayor agreeing
to prioritise this housing development.”
Mayor Wallace says the Council will continue to support HNZ with work on Phase One of its Epuni development, which will
see 25 large, modern family homes built on landscaped sections. Construction is planned to begin later this year with
the first tenants moving in, in late 2019.
ENDS