Building Momentum quarterly event

The next Kāinga Ora Building Momentum quarterly event takes place this month and you are warmly invited to join us.  We’ll be focusing on sustainability and innovation in design and construction, and taking a closer look at exciting new low-carbon and passive house approaches to building tomorrow’s homes.  Kāinga Ora is leading the industry by example in trialling the Passive House Standard, and you can hear from our teams about how we’ll achieve this, alongside speakers from Peddlethorp, Oculus Architectural Engineering, Precision Construction, and MBIE, followed by an interactive Q&A session.

The free event will be held in Parnell, Auckland on Thursday 26th August 2021 from 8:30 – 11:45am. Register online. Email buildingmomentum@kaingaora.govt.nz if you would like to find out more.

New construction and civils alliance for eastern Porirua

To support Kāinga Ora to deliver new homes in eastern Porirua, construction and infrastructure experts Higgins, Goodmans, Beca, Harrison Grierson and Orogen have partnered to create the Te Aranga Alliance.

Over the next 7 years, Te Aranga will be responsible for upgrading and delivering key pieces of infrastructure and preparing land for new homes. This will include a range of civils work from site investigations, housing demolition, site remediation, land development, and civil infrastructure consenting and upgrades to stormwater networks, roads and public spaces.

It is still early stages of developing the programme, but the initial estimates indicate around 250 jobs could be created to carry out this work over the next few years.

“We are looking to hire locals where we can.” says Te Aranga board chair Brian Kirtlan.

To date, Te Aranga has employed a local firm to provide scaffolding and has local machinery operators and labourers working onsite.

KiwiBuild - final sales of new homes at Discovery, New Plymouth

The final release of 26 residential homes at the Kāinga Ora Discovery development in Marfell, New Plymouth concluded in June 2021. The homes were announced for sale on 4 June, and sold via ballot draw than ran from 21 – 28 June 2021. All homes are now under contract.

Discovery has been a significant redevelopment project for Kāinga Ora and the New Plymouth community that, in addition to the provision of 68 new homes, has included new roads, two parks, and civil works and supporting infrastructure over a two-year period. Homes were released to market in multiple tranches, which saw a steady increase in demand from interested buyers over the sales campaign. This led to the use of a ballot draw for the final release of homes to ensure the fairest and most equitable method of sale for all interested buyers.

Successful buyers of the final homes are expected to settle and move into their new homes over July/August this year, and Kāinga Ora is looking forward to welcoming the new homeowners into the community.

MATES in Construction fly the flag for suicide prevention

Kāinga Ora is proud to partner with MATES in Construction, and to support their important mahi to significantly improve mental wellness in the construction industry. Their work has recently been rewarded with an endorsement from the World Health Organisation (WHO), in time for their first birthday celebrations. An accolade well-deserved. Friday 10 September is World Suicide Prevention Day, and during the month of September MATES in Construction will be raising awareness about the importance of talking about mental health and suicide prevention across the construction sector. Their Fly the Flag campaign for construction sites is a way to take part, reminding everyone onsite and beyond to take the time to stop and check in with your mates. If you are not already registered with MATES, head to their website to find out more, or contact taylor.norman@kaingaora.govt.nz.   

Suppliers appreciate immediate payment terms

Kāinga Ora has had a great response to the immediate payment terms we introduced for suppliers last year to support them through Covid-19 disruptions.

We’ve kept this approach following positive feedback and strong engagement from our supplier base. Suppliers tell us faster payments mean improved cash flow and confidence to take on new employees.

Continuing to improve our processes

We are constantly looking to improve our processes, standards, designs and partner relationships across Kāinga Ora. We also welcome feedback from our valued partners and suppliers. If you would like to share your observations on the work we are doing, please feel free to get in touch with your Kāinga Ora contact. 

Keep in touch and sign your colleagues up to receive the bulletin by emailing updates@kaingaora.govt.nz.

Message from our land development, construction, commercial and urban planning leaders​

Ramping up offsite manufactured builds

Throughout New Zealand the demand for both market and state housing is increasing. This means innovative approaches are needed to deliver more quality homes, at a faster rate, and with the best possible outcomes for people, communities, and the construction industry.

Off-site manufacturing (OSM) is one build method that we are scaling up the use of. It’s a key strategy in our 2019-2023 Statement of Intent and Building Momentum–Construction Plan for Future Homes, and an OSM plan is being developed to drive innovation and output.

OSM construction has numerous efficiency benefits;  there are fewer variables to allow a more streamlined build process, materials are not exposed to the elements during construction, less waste is produced, and they can be built and installed on sites faster.  Importantly, these homes meet quality and sustainability thresholds expected of a traditional build in New Zealand, including Healthy Homes standards and the New Zealand Green Building Council’s 6 Homestar ratings.  

Over the last two years, an OSM pilot programme has allowed Kāinga Ora to trial opportunities and evaluate more offsite products and design solutions.

One standout pilot is the 18-home Busby Street development in Blockhouse Bay, Auckland, built by Miles Construction. The three-storey walk-up apartment buildings combine a mix of OSM technology, including Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) panels from Xlam. Engineered light timber frame panels and factory-built bathroom pods from Concision are also used.  Busby Street has become our second development to achieve a 7 Homestar rating.

Patrick Dougherty, General Manager Construction and Innovation, expects to see a significant increase of OSM in Kāinga Ora housing developments over the coming years.

“We are in the early stages of scaling up OSM as part our build programme, and already about 15 percent of homes currently under construction or in design within our developments utilise OSM techniques.”

“There is an increasing number of people and families requiring a warm, dry and safe place to live, and as we respond to this need we have to think differently about how we match demand with supply.”

“Over the next 12 months we are intending to intensify use of volumetric modular OSM in particular, as a means of further accelerating immediate housing supply. Collaboration will be key to success, and the Kāinga Ora Construction and Innovation unit is investigating the capacity of OSM suppliers around New Zealand to supply OSM homes at scale.”

If you’re a supplier of OSM homes in New Zealand and would like to know more about the type of OSM homes Kāinga Ora needs, please email cco@kaingaora.govt.nz.

Kāinga Ora is also supporting the PrefabNZ COLAB21 conference in October this year, and staff look forward to engaging with OSM suppliers then.

Off-site manufactured build at Busby Street, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland.

Land acquisition and development

Land is critical to our success in increasing housing supply across the country, be that public housing or market and affordable housing.  We actively explore a wide range of options to secure appropriate sites, including the purchase of vacant land and existing properties, partnering with land owners including iwi and hapū, redeveloping of our own existing properties, and leasing options. We look to address urgent demand where there is limited or no available public housing, or where a property is strategically located and suitable for development.

Working with our build and development partners to achieve our outcomes on these sites is key to our success. We follow processes that attempt to balance speed and prudence, with significant due diligence undertaken on all opportunities and our pricing based on an independent valuation. We are constantly looking out for suitable land to bring on more warm, dry and modern housing for people and families in need, and we are always happy to receive suggestions on land opportunities by email to acquisition.enquiries@kaingaora.govt.nz.

2022 Kāinga Ora Graduate Programme open for applications

Applications are now open for the 2022 Kāinga Ora Graduate Programme, and we’re looking for recent architecture, structural engineering, construction, property, or urban design graduates who are passionate about creating homes and communities that allow New Zealanders to thrive. 

Tracey Walsh, Senior Advisor Capability, says: “We’re looking for candidates who are motivated to kick-start their career, and have the drive to keep growing and developing. We also want to see their passion for creating homes and communities that transform New Zealanders lives for the better. If you know of anyone who fits this description, please share this opportunity with them.”

The 18-month programme is designed for graduates to develop their capability across various business units: Construction and Innovation (C&I), Urban Development and Delivery (UDD), Urban Planning and Design (UPD) and Consentium Building Consent Authority.

Graduates have the opportunity to complete three six-month rotations across the business units to develop their technical skills and build their networks and understanding.

Graduates will get exposure to emerging technology and systems, and the opportunity to work alongside industry leaders on major projects that have been described by some managers as career-defining and a once in a lifetime opportunity due to their scale.  On successful completion of the programme, graduates will move into a permanent role in the areas of the organisation they have worked in. 

“Each rotation includes a structured development plan designed for personal and professional growth. The opportunities and support they receive will set themselves up for a successful career at Kāinga Ora and beyond,” Tracey says. 

How to apply  

To apply for the 2022 Kāinga Ora Graduate Programme, please visit our Careers webpage and complete our application form. Applications close on 12 August.  

Candidates must have a bachelor's degree in a relevant area and have graduated no more than 12 months prior to applying for the programme. Candidates must be a New Zealand citizen, resident or entitled to a three-year post-study open work visa (for Level 7 degree or above qualification).  

For more information, visit the Kāinga Ora Graduate Programme webpage.

Graduates from the 2020 intake of the Kāinga Ora Graduate Programme. From left, Aakanksha, Judah, Jason.

Breakfast session for cadets and apprentices

The Kāinga Ora Social Outcomes Team want to help give cadets and apprentices working on our sites extra skills for their development.  Next month we are running three 2-hour morning sessions in Auckland, covering areas such as goal setting, communications, wellbeing, budgeting, apprenticeship info and more. Breakfast is included!  This is a fun and important part of our programme, and we would love to see your cadets and apprentices there.

Dates and locations

Glenfield, Auckland – Tuesday 24th August
Northern Jobs and Skills Hub, 2 Kaipātiki Road, Glenfield

Newmarket, Auckland – Wednesday 25th August
Kāinga Ora, 107 Carlton Gore Road, Newmarket

Manukau, Auckland – Thursday 26th August
SENZ, 13 Gladding Place, Manukau

Times
6.30am – Breakfast Starts
7am – 8.30am – Workshop

RSVP
Please RSVP by 17 August to karine.moka@kaingaora.govt.nz