Q & A - Torere Home Building Project
Q1. Who is funding this project?
A1: Ngaitai Iwi, Habitat
for Humanity and the Housing Corporation are contributing
the funds for this project. The Housing Corporation is
contributing $800,000, Habitat for Humanity $400,000, and
Ngaitai Iwi $200,000.
Q2: What does the project consist
of?
A2: Twenty houses are being built in and around
Torere on papakainga (Maori owned land) at an average of
$70,000 per house. These houses are being built for Ngaitai
Iwi families.
Q3: Why are the houses being built in this
location?
A3: Ngaitai Iwi and Habitat Humanity formed a
joint venture with the objective of eradicating substandard
housing in the Ngaitai Iwi rohe. In conjunction with
Pacific Health: Toi Te Ora they identified a housing need in
the region and the families of greatest need. Ngaitai Iwi
and Habitat for Humanity then jointly lobbied government and
came up with a workable proposal.
Q4: Why is the
government supporting this initiative?
A4: A key
government objective is to close the disparity gaps between
Maori and Pakeha and making sure decent, affordable housing
is available is a key way of achieving this
outcome.
Q5: Who is Habitat for Humanity?
A5: An
international non-profit organisation dedicated to
eliminating poverty housing worldwide. This is achieved by
building simple, decent homes for families in need, sold on
a no-profit, no interest basis. Donations of cash and
materials and volunteer labour enable projects such as
Torere to happen.
Q6: Why is Habitat for Humanity involved
with the Torere project?
A6: Firstly, because it is part
of their global vision to eliminate sub-standard housing.
On a national level Habitat is keen to meet specific needs
in regards to Maori housing. Torere is a pilot project in a
defined area. This project will eradicate sub-standard
housing from this geographical area. It is envisaged that
this will be a successful model for replication.
Q7: Which
government agencies/bodies are involved with this
project?
A7: Te Puni Kokiri, Ministry of Social Policy,
Housing Corporation of New Zealand.
Q8: Who will carry out
construction?
A8: The construction will be carried out by
the Iwi as a whanau self-build. Participants will receive
on-site training and will use skills gained from courses
attended at technical colleges. Habitat for Humanity will
also be providing volunteers.
Q9: Why are the Iwi carrying
out construction?
A9: Firstly, the model requires the
involvement of recipient families in the construction of
their home. Secondly, work on this project carried out by
Iwi augments the capital required for the project. Thirdly,
the undertaking of this project enables the development of
administration and construction skills amongst the Iwi with
the aim of increasing employment opportunities.
Q10: What
is the involvement of the Districts Credit Union in this
project?
A10: The Districts Credit Union will supply
budgeting assistance and be a conduit for project repayments
for whanau. The Union will assist the whanau with their
savings plans to achieve the required deposits.
Q11: When
will construction commence?
A11: Mark Gosche, the
Minister of Housing launches the project on 22 September
2000. Ten houses will be built by 30 June 2001.
Q12: Who
are the contacts for further information?
A12: Grant
Cathro, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity,
Ph: 09
529 4111
John Hayes, Ngaitai Iwi Authority, Ph: 07 315
8485
Richard Matthews, Business Development Manager,
Housing Corporation, Ph: 04 4601
831