When redevelopment work began on Castor Crescent, Toni never imagined that her whānau of three would be moving into a brand new home.

“In July I received a call telling me I was being allocated a new house, I was excited - I couldn’t wait”.

From her former home down the road, Toni and her neighbours witnessed the existing homes at Castor Cres being removed and the first 10 newly built homes replace them.

In total 53 new homes have now been constructed on Castor Crescent. They are a range of different size homes including 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, 4 bedroom and 5 bedroom homes.

For Toni and her two children the move was “stress-free” and full of anticipation. “Kāinga Ora were awesome!  Boxes were delivered, a skip bin as well as a moving truck were provided. Everything was really easy with their help.”

For families like Toni’s, these new homes are making a huge difference not only to their health but also the wellbeing of their whānau. “Everything about life here is better, there is a real community feel, my kids can run free and we are just generally healthy. The homes are so warm and quiet. It’s a major improvement.”

A blessing for the final eight homes was held with iwi partner Ngāti Toa Rangatira Kaumatua Taku Parai officiating the blessing. A community event will be held to celebrate the completion of the new homes with a focus on whānau, fun and coming together.

New homes at Castor Crescent are part of the wider Porirua regeneration work to deliver more warm, dry and healthy housing. In August 2020, 14 one-bedroom homes were built on Champion Street with the four ground units all being accessible. The next stage of development work will get underway on Niger Street and Esk Place which will see an additional 100 new homes constructed for eastern Porirua.

It has been seven months since Toni and her tamariki moved into their brand new 6 homestar rated home and she is full of gratitude. “I’m so glad I was chosen.”

 “The kids are safer, and we are proud to be here,” she said.