Now, its housing arm is a coalition of six iwi - Ngai Tamanuhiri, Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Ngati Porou, Te Whanau a Apanui and Te Whakatohea. Toitū Tairāwhiti began as a collaboration of four East Coast iwi, formed in response to Covid-19.Īfter its success helping Māori communities through the pandemic, it expanded its horizons to meet the challenge of housing, providing low-cost homes with a not-for-profit model, and funding from the government. Tangiwai goes on: "When she looks out, all the hills around, they're hers. It's the blood that flows when you have children, and there's all that connection there that you don't talk about." This is our whenua, and our whenua is the same thing that flows between you and I. "There's a whole other, deeper feeling - the earth, papatūānuku. She is also Pearl's neighbour, and she knows the peace that comes with feeling like you are home. Tangiwai Ria has been involved in the project from the beginning. Then, they will have four generations under one roof. Her parents' home is now on the market, and they will move in when it has been sold. "It's wonderful to be home, and to be able to bring Dad home." The most important thing, she says, is the peace of mind. They moved in several months later, with work to do to connect services and put in the septic tank - that took two goes, Pearl says, as the ground was so wet it floated up to the surface again by the next morning. "I just had to touch - she's real, she's real." They brought the house in through the corner of the property, and put it down on its piles. We were just coming down the road, my daughter and I, at 2am in the morning, and I must say - don't do it (she leans over and covers her granddaughter's ears) - but I was almost jumping out of the car, we were screaming, and in tears, because we could see the beautiful outline of our house."Ī Toitū home on the truck, ready for delivery. Pearl points to another photo, a black background with a glowing orb of light in the centre. It was built off-site in Henderson, and arrived in the dead of night, months later. "I think the biggest thing was the day Annette sent me a text message, and she sent me pictures of our house. She takes down three, close-ups of cladding, a window frame and some scaffolding. She returns with two of what turn out to be five huge pinboards full of photographs. It felt like, hey, there could be a chance that we may not."Īnd then "I've just got to get something to show you," she says, and hurries out of the room. Photo: Kate Green / RNZĭid it feel unlikely? She nods, a little teary. Pearl Poki with the pinboards that display pictures of her home being built and delivered. ![]() Their family was going through a lot: "Losing our baby, as well as not having anywhere at that time, and unsure if this dream was going to come true." Her youngest daughter just lost her first son, and they had recently been thrown back into the rental market. Families with their own whenua and paid employment could qualify for a house - even a new one. ![]() She first heard about Toitū at a community hui at the marae two years ago. There is room for her whole family, including her parents, daughter and two grandchildren, and she says their door is always open for any of her family who want to come home. Pearl Poki lives in a Toitū Tairāwhiti whare, a three-bedroom home with weatherboards and a deck on Waihirere Domain Road. In rural Gisborne, there's a street where the population has doubled, and where children play by the roadside after school.īest of all, whānau can sleep easy at night knowing they have a permanent home on the land of their tīpuna. A pre-loved home at the Builtsmart site, waiting to be transported to its new family.
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