Te Pākau Maru is a $38 million mixed-tenure development in New Brighton, Ōtautahi Christchurch, completed in 2025. Featuring 63 terraced homes, comprised of one to four-bedroom homes, it prioritises affordable rentals, progressive home ownership, and sustainability. Te Pākau
Maru, which means “the sheltering wing,” was inspired by Psalm 63:7: “Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.”
The Beresford Street site, which was acquired in April 2022, was developed by Kāinga Maha, built by Home Construction, and funded by Home Capital Partners being the development, construction and investment arms of the Home Foundation group, respectively. The mixed-tenure approach encompassed progressive home ownership, affordable market-rented housing and market sales targeted at first home buyers. The affordable rentals are managed by Te Wawata Kāinga, the property management arm of the Home Foundation group. Key points of interest include:
- Mixed-tenure: the project demonstrates the successful integration of multiple housing types across a development. This approach requires careful consideration as to the legal intricacies of structuring across different ownership and tenancy arrangements.
- Government: the project utilised Ministry for Pacific Peoples grants and HUD schemes in order to achieve completion.
- Community engagement: community consultation was a priority from the outset, making the homes genuinely fit for the community they are situated in. Community engagement pre and during construction also helped to ensure that new residents were welcomed and felt a
sense of belonging. - Progressive Home Ownership: utilising a progressive home ownership structure allowed Te Pākau Maru to reach whānau who could finally make their dreamsof homeownership a reality. This supports long-term housing security and financial resilience.
- Environmental and Building Standards: the development prioritised high sustainability standards, with all homes built to a certified HomeStar 7 standard. The homes were also thoughtfully planned to maximise energy efficiency, using durable low-impact materials and minimising carbon emissions.
For more on Home Foundation, visit their website at: homefoundation.org.nz
