Housing and Urban Development Minister Megan Woods announced Government is committing a further $204 million from the Housing Acceleration Fund to the eastern Porirua large scale project.

This brings the total investment for the project to $340 million, following initial funding allocation last year.

Highlighting the scale of the work being carried out in the Porirua Development, the announcement was made at the Esk Development site in Porirua, where infrastructure work is well underway to support the delivery of around 100 homes on the site.

Increased investment in Large Scale Projects through the Housing Acceleration Fund aims to accelerate the pace and scale of housing delivery on these developments and opens up extra housing opportunities for surrounding land owners and other developers.

In eastern Porirua, the combined $340 million investment will provide much needed infrastructure and land development activity to allow up to 744 new homes to be built, including around 550 additional public, market and affordable homes.

The increased infrastructure capacity also has the potential to unlock a further 2,000 homes for both market and public housing in eastern Porirua.

Through the Porirua Development, Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities is partnering with Ngāti Toa Rangatira and Porirua City Council to deliver this work.

Project Director, Will Pennington says today’s announcement is very welcome news and will enable a brighter future for eastern Porirua.

“Not only is tackling infrastructure, like pipework, the first step to delivering much-needed housing, we know from the community that addressing infrastructure is at the top of everyone’s list when it comes to well-being.”

“Through improvements to critical infrastructure like wastewater, stormwater, and clean water capacity we can create a healthier environment and a better place for those who call Porirua home to live, work and play.”

Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira Chief Executive Helmut Modlik says: 
“Ngāti Toa has been here for 200 years and in 200 years’ time they will be telling stories about what happened here and what we accomplished for the community.”

Porirua Mayor Anita Baker welcomed today’s funding announcement. “We’re grateful to the Government for its ongoing commitment to investing in eastern Porirua. This is a key part of our city, and investment is crucial to make sure our people have better housing and improved wellbeing outcomes.”

The funding also allows the opportunity to improve transport networks making it possible for residents to cycle and walk to destinations, enhancing local parks which provide essential greenspace for many community members and upgrades to other public areas.

“This funding allows us to achieve a wide range of future-focused improvements for the city, and the positive outcomes will be beneficial for generations to come.”

Read more about Kāinga Ora Housing Acceleration Fund