ISSUE 33 | SEPTEMBER 2024
This issue
In this issue, we celebrate our achievements from the last financial year – accomplished through the amazing mahi of our partners and suppliers within construction and urban development.
On design and architecture:
Watch how a 61-unit social housing development in Point Chevalier, Auckland became our largest to employ off-site manufacturing (OSM).
For building innovation:
Learn why the Kāinga Ora Solar Programme has been recognised as Energy Project of the Year at the recent 2024 NZ Energy Excellence Awards.
Delivering new state homes:
Read more about the 4,864 new state houses Kāinga Ora has delivered for individuals and whānau in FY 2023/24.
On urban planning and development:
Find out how we take a suburb-wide approach in our large-scale urban development projects.
Message from our land development, construction, commercial and urban planning leaders
Tēnā koutou,
The work of our teams, alongside that of our valued builders, development partners and industry experts has been instrumental in successfully delivering exceptional outcomes over the last financial year, not least of which has been over 4,800 new state homes.
In this edition of Development & Construction Matters, we’re sharing the highlights of what we achieved together in the 12 months to 30 June 2024.
State Housing Delivery
We’ve recently received confirmation of our state housing delivery for the next two years, giving us greater certainty about our pipeline of work.
Over the two years to 30 June 2026, we are adding 2,650 state homes to our portfolio in locations where they are most needed across Aotearoa - the majority of which are already underway or contracted. This aligns with total state housing delivery numbers expected through the Government’s previous Public Housing Plan and will bring our total state and supported housing stock to around 78,000 properties.
We’ll also have a greater focus on renewing our existing homes, making sure we have homes in the right locations and that they are suitable for those who need them. This means that over the two years to 30 June 2026, another 3,000 Kāinga Ora homes will be renewed through redevelopment, replacement, or retrofitting (major refurbishment).
We are assessing the rest of our projects not yet contracted, with a focus on priority locations and best value for money. We will be in touch with partners as further contracts become available.
Changes within Kāinga Ora
Kāinga Ora is also consulting with its people on change processes in response to changing priorities and to achieve further savings, while maintaining the delivery of our core functions and services.
We are very mindful of the impact this work will have on our people, so we are taking a staged, considered approach, enabling us to support them through the process.
As always, we appreciate your continued patience and support while we navigate these changes and assist the Board in delivering the November Reset Plan for Ministers. We’re committed to informing you of updates as new changes are implemented.
Ngā mihi maioha,
Patrick, Caroline, Mark, Hayley, and Matt
A word from our new Chief Executive
At the start of September, we welcomed Matt Crockett as the new Chief Executive of Kāinga Ora - Homes and Communities for the next 12 months.
"My number one driver for accepting the role of CE was the important work Kāinga Ora does for New Zealand and the people we support," says Matt.
"I want to bring in a strong commercial focus and make sure we are getting the balance right between cost-efficient delivery and meeting the needs of our customers," he added.
With a strong background in leading large companies through transformational change and business improvement, Matt will work with the Board and executive team over the next year to ensure Kāinga Ora is operating as effectively and efficiently as it can.
Connecting with our construction, development and supplier partners, as well as the wider industry, is a key priority for Matt as he starts in his new role.
Haere rā, Andrew
Kāinga Ora bid farewell to Andrew McKenzie as our Chief Executive Officer - a role he has executed since 2016.
Andrew’s foresight and capable leadership were instrumental in guiding the organisation through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and successfully delivering thousands of state homes amid tough market conditions.
Haere rā, Andrew—your mahi has enriched the lives of countless people across the motu by improving access to social housing.
“I want to recognise the enormous contribution Andrew has made in his eight years as Chief Executive. While Andrew will be missed, he will leave Kāinga Ora well set up to respond to the changes ahead."
Simon Moutter, Chair of the Kāinga Ora Board
Kāinga Ora Board Refreshed
We recently welcomed new members to our Board of Directors: Arihia Bennett, Jenn Bestwick, Alan Dent, Peter Jeffries, Ceinwen McNeil and Fiona Mules. Find out more about these new Board members here.
Auckland's new apartment complex showcases OSM
Image credit: Paul Brown & Associates (PB&A)
In the central Auckland suburb of Point Chevalier, a new apartment complex featuring 61 one-bedroom units has been completed, marking a significant social housing development in the area.
Making use of off-site manufacturing (OSM) as the method of construction, the complex comprises three buildings ranging from five to six storeys, each with its own entrance and stair access.
Watch the video below to learn more about the OSM method of construction and how we place eager tenants into their brand-new homes.
4,864 new Kāinga Ora homes delivered in 12 months
Over 4,800 new, warm and dry state homes have been delivered throughout Aotearoa over the last financial year.
Check out our full-year update detailing how we're working with hundreds of architects, engineers, developers, and construction companies across the motu to achieve thousands of newly built homes.
Community revitalisation through partnerships
In her recent article for Property Council New Zealand, Jaine Lovell-Gadd - Centre Development Manager at Kāinga Ora, discusses how we are working with public and private sector partners, as well as community organisations, to breathe new life into neighbourhoods.
Jaine expands on why strong partnerships are essential to coordinating urban renewal and shares how local connections can help communities flourish.
Solar innovation at Kāinga Ora wins prestigious Energy Award
Our innovative solar programme has been awarded Energy Project of the Year at the 2024 NZ Energy Excellence Awards.
By installing solar panels on hundreds of state homes, the initiative reduces electricity costs for residents and has introduced cutting-edge technology like Allume SolShare to New Zealand - enabling efficient solar distribution in multi-tenant buildings.
Find out more about how this initiative breaks sustainability barriers and helps reduce energy hardship for those who need it most.
Enhancing the health of state homes
As of 1 July 2024, we are pleased to report that over 67,500 or 99.8% of residential state homes are now classed as a Healthy Home.
This immense result is thanks to our maintenance partners and the tireless dedication of their teams, in attaining these standards for our social housing portfolio.
As New Zealand's largest landlord, find out why improving the warmth and dryness of our homes is crucial for over 192,000 tenants living in them.
“The Kāinga Ora Healthy Homes Delivery Programme is our largest planned maintenance programme to date in terms of breadth, complexity and volume."
Nick Maling, GM - National Services at Kāinga Ora
Upgrading over 850 State Homes: A Year of Renewal
In the year ending June 2024, 862 old state homes across New Zealand, from Kaitaia to Invercargill, were renovated to meet current building standards, ensuring they remain suitable for New Zealanders for the next 50 years.
Read more about how state homes are assessed and where the work was carried out in FY 2023-24.
Need to know:
Te Waihanga (NZ Infrastructure Commission) recently published their Infrastructure Strategy Report, and we’re proud to see that it showcases the effectiveness of stormwater improvements in our Large-Scale Projects (LSPs) for flood management.
The Government released stage one of the Going for Housing Growth strategy in July. Key changes include setting housing growth targets for Tier 1 and 2 councils, allowing urban expansion, strengthening urban development intensification, enabling mixed-use developments, abolishing minimum floor area and balcony requirements, and making Medium-Density Residential Standards (MDRS) optional for councils.
