Welcome to Hononga Hapori, our first Whanganui community update

We've got some great updates for Whanganui, so keep reading to find out more

Kia ora,

Welcome to our first Whanganui community update. Thank you for subscribing; we are excited about sharing the latest updates in your neighbourhood.

The name Hononga Hapori was recently given to us. Hononga means ‘connection’ or ‘relationship’ and Hapori refers to ‘community’. Together, it highlights the connection between community and housing well-being and the relationship between a thriving community and the availability of healthy homes.

At Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities, we not only provide warm, dry homes but also support communities and build neighbourhoods. We want to work alongside communities to help build thriving, sustainable and inclusive communities.

We have some stories to share about our construction milestones and the work we are doing to support our customers, connect with our communities and partner with others.

Read on to find out more and please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me if you have any questions or feedback.

Ngā mihi  
Tyrone Kemp
Kaitūhono | Stakeholder Relationship Manager
communities@kaingaora.govt.nz

What's happening in your neighbourhood?

We’re excited to plan and deliver new houses in Whanganui, so more individuals and families will have a warm, dry, and safe place to call home.

We understand that you would like to keep updated about what is happening in your neighbourhood. As our housing projects and opportunities are at different stages, we have created an interactive map to ensure you always have access to the most up-to-date information.

A few highlights:

• Homes, built offsite, have been delivered to 27, 29 and 89 Harper Street and 113 Puriri Street. They will now be installed and connected to services with an estimated completion date of April 2024.
• We have recently purchased land at 3C Bignell Street in Gonville. We’re in the early stages of exploring how this site could be developed and we will share any updates, including detailed site plans, on our interactive map
• Please note that you may notice some activity on our sites as site investigations and survey work will take place.

Whanganui residents get inspired to eat well on a budget

From busy lives to raising a family, many people struggle to find the time or inspiration to cook healthy, nutritious meals within a budget for themselves and their whānau.

It was this that led Kāinga Ora and UCOL | Te Pūkenga to join forces and organise a free cooking class for the Whanganui community, including Kāinga Ora customers, to share tips, tricks and inspiration for eating well on a budget.

The class is a perfect example of how we are working with community organisations to support our customers and build sustainable, thriving and inclusive communities.

Kāinga Ora customer Silo attended the course because she is interested in cooking but sometimes struggles with finding healthier alternatives for things like cream and cheese.

“The facilitator shared many helpful tips and tricks for healthy eating on a budget. I’m looking forward to sharing these ideas with other people – I think I will make the enchiladas for my community group soon!”

5 tips for cooking healthy meals within a budget from UCOL course facilitator, Ian:

1. Plan your meals and create a grocery list to avoid impulse purchases and ensure you have the right ingredients on hand.
2. Choose whole grains, legumes, and inexpensive proteins like beans and eggs to make your meals filling and nutritious without breaking the bank.
3. Use seasonal fruits and vegetables, which tend to be more affordable and fresher, enhancing the taste and nutritional value of your dishes.
4. Cook in batches and freeze leftovers to reduce food waste and have convenient, healthy meals ready when you're short on time.
5. Experiment with herbs and spices to add flavour and use cooking techniques like steaming preserve nutrients and minimise the need for added fats.

Opportunities to provide feedback and meet with us

Earlier this month, we invited you to connect with us in Gonville and Whanganui East. Thank you to those who attended our drop-in sessions and shared your feedback with us. 

These sessions are an opportunity to discuss future developments, learn more about Kāinga Ora and our home ownership products and speak to a Housing Support Manager.

If you would like to connect with us, you can join one of our upcoming drop-in sessions:

Tuesday 5^th December 2023

Gonville Library, 44 Abbot Street

Please feel free to drop in anytime between 10.30am and 12pm

Wednesday 6^th December 2023

Whanganui East Hakeke Community Centre, 65 Hakeke Street

Please feel free to drop in anytime between 10.30am – 12pm

A new lease on life for existing customer homes

Did you know that, as part of our Retrofit programme, Kāinga Ora is making significant improvements on a number of homes in Whanganui?

We are upgrading these older homes to make them warmer, drier and healthier by installing full insulation, double glazing, improved airtightness, ventilation and new heating. 

Connecting with our Pasifika Community

Kāinga Ora was one of the over 50 organisations attending the Whanganui Pasifika Health and Wellbeing Expo late October. We enjoyed connecting with the Pasifika community and sharing tips about keeping homes warm and healthy.  

In line with our commitment to supporting more New Zealanders into home ownership, we also informed the attendees about our home ownership products to make it easier for individuals and whānau to buy their first home.

Housing Support Manager Haddy says:

“I really enjoyed seeing the Pasifika leading their communities to greater health outcomes. It was a privilege to be able to support and be part of this awesome kaupapa.”

The event was organised by Whanganui Regional Health Network. Find out more about Whanganui Regional Health Network and how they help the community.

Questions?

If you have questions or would like to discuss anything further, please contact: 
Tyrone Kemp
021 960 252
communities@kaingaora.govt.nz 

For more information about our proposed developments in Whanganui, please visit kaingaora.govt.nz/manawatu-whanganui

View our developments on Social Pinpoint 

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