Wattle Park, a greenfield development of 112 brand new homes on Mahia Rd, is an example of how private interests can work with public good to help get New Zealanders from all walks of life into warm, safe, secure homes.

Wattle Park is a mixed-tenure residential subdivision, consisting of 69 houses owned and or leased by community housing providers (CHPs) Accessible Properties, Penina Health Trust, and Emerge Aotearoa, alongside private properties, and houses built for the Government’s KiwiBuild programme.

Of those houses, most are two-bedroom, but there are also one-bedroom and five-bedroom homes in the community housing mix, reflecting the different communities that each CHP serves.

Attractively situated on a slope overlooking an estuary waterfront, the developer has made a feature of the natural environment, with walkways along the waterline and a feature made of a natural small creek running through the site.

Residents will be able to enjoy the natural surrounds, and it will be a great place for kids to play and explore without feeling too ‘planned’ or artificial.

The homes themselves feature robust materials and are positioned for the sun. They are built with accessibility in mind, with some homes particularly suited for those with mobility needs.

It’s a success story for community housing, and the CHPs worked hard with property developer, Watchman Capital to make it happen.

“It’s important that people have a say about what happens in their community. The mix of one, two, and five bedroom homes will also attract a range of family sizes, creating a truly mixed community.”

“Stable, adequate housing means that kids don’t go to 10 different schools before they turn 10, it means they can keep the same set of friends, they are grounded, have memories and long-term relationships, and that they can stay connected to their local communities.”

Date Completed: 2021