Growing Our Ngāti Toa Economy
As the community housing provider for Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira, Te Āhuru Mōwai exists to deliver safe, affordable, high-quality homes that strengthen whānau and communities. A key part of that vision is creating opportunities beyond housing by supporting iwi capability, local employment, and local Māori and Pasefika businesses.
The recent blessing and opening of 10 new whānau homes at Tuki Street in Tītahi Bay reflects that commitment. Delivered in partnership with Switched On Building Solutions, majority owned by Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira the development includes a mix of two, three and five-bedroom homes designed to support the wellbeing, connection, and long-term resilience of the whānau who now call Tuki Street home.
Working with iwi businesses has long been part of how Te Āhuru Mōwai delivers its developments. Across their projects, they prioritise Ngāti Toa suppliers, subcontractors, and tradespeople wherever possible, ensuring investment supports our own people and economy.
Working closely with our Pou Ōhanga team, they continue to strengthen this approach by creating more opportunities for iwi-owned businesses and Māori and Pasefika trades across every stage of development. From civil works and construction through to plumbing, electrical, landscaping and finishing trades, these partnerships build capability, create employment and apprenticeship opportunities, and keep investment circulating within the Ngāti Toa economy.
The opportunities doesn't end once construction is complete. As Te Āhuru Mōwai's housing portfolio grows, so too does the demand for planned maintenance, insurance repairs and 24/7 response services, creating ongoing work for our growing network of registered Ngāti Toa suppliers and contractors.
The development was guided by Ngāti Toa values from beginning to end. Cultural milestones, including the whakawātea and blessing of the homes led by Ngāti Toa kaumātua Dr Taku Parai, acknowledged the whenua, the people, and the significance of creating homes where whānau can thrive for generations.
Tuki Street is the second completed development under Te Āhuru Mōwai's Strategic Partnership with the Government, which will deliver 125 new homes across 13 locations throughout Tawa, Porirua, and Paekākāriki by June 2027.
More than the delivery of 10 new homes, Tuki Street demonstrates how Ngāti Toa can leverage iwi ownership, strategic partnerships, and local enterprise to create lasting benefits for whānau. By investing in our own people and businesses, we are building homes, strengthening capability, growing our economy, and creating opportunities for future generations.
Over the coming weeks, we'll be profiling some of the Ngāti Toa suppliers and contractors helping deliver these developments, showcasing the skills, experience and capability that exist within our iwi and the important role they play in building our future.