Tauranga City Council has confirmed a targeted approach to funding papakāinga housing, aiming to unlock dozens of homes on ancestral Māori land.
The council has adopted a distribution model for its $400,000 Papakāinga Fund that focuses on eliminating obstacles preventing developments from progressing.
Te Awanui Ward councillor Hēmi Rolleston said the decision marks a significant step forward for tangata whenua housing.
“This is about removing real barriers that Māori landowners face and supporting projects to move from concept to reality,” Rolleston said.
“We know there are developments ready to go but stuck because they can’t fund detailed design, technical work or consenting. This fund is designed to bridge that gap.”
Only 16 papakāinga homes have been built in Tauranga over the past five years, the council release said.
Te Awanui Ward councillor Hēmi Rolleston says the council decision will remove barriers faced by Māori landowners over developments. Photo / Alisha Evans
The fund would prioritise multi-dwelling developments that are ready to progress, supporting costs such as planning, engineering and resource consent work.
Council estimated the approach could help enable more than 60 homes across several developments stalled at early stages.
“By targeting support earlier in the process, we can make a meaningful difference and help unlock housing supply on Māori land,” Rolleston said.
“It’s also about supporting whānau to reconnect with their whenua and strengthening our communities.”
Expressions of interest for funding were now open, with applications closing on June 19.
Tauranga city councillor Rod Taylor says the council is committed to housing and partnership with mana whenua. Photo / Kelly O’Hara
Decisions on the first round were expected by August.
Depending on demand, further funding could be made available through a review of development contributions linked to the papakāinga grant.
Te Papa Ward councillor Rod Taylor said the initiative reflected the council’s wider commitment to housing and partnership with mana whenua.
“This approach reflects partnership, trust and practical action. It’s a positive step toward a more inclusive Tauranga,” Taylor said.
A papakāinga taskforce would also be established to explore ways to reduce barriers to building on Māori land.
5 comments
It has always been a challenge...!
Posted on 01-06-2026 13:35 | By Watchdog
My understanding is because Maori land is nearly always in multiple ownership, getting approval from everybody has been difficult in the past when selling or subdividing land. Banks, because they don't always have the ability to have clear land title, are apparently still reluctant to allow housing to be built because of that and I believe still require houses to be removable (they can have title over the building, I understand) if ever mortgage payments are stopped for any reason. I would like to hear more on the challenges as they exist today.
Overit
Posted on 01-06-2026 16:55 | By overit
I hope this funding isnt coming from TCC
If you can't win votes on merit, baffle them with bullsh*t
Posted on 02-06-2026 08:03 | By KirstyB
$400,000 for Papakainga red tape is mighty generous of the TCC, considering how much the rates have increased.
The comment, "could help enable more than 60 homes", with, presumably, the ones receiving the funding, the "planning, engineering and resource consent work", being council workers for the most part.... see where I'm headed here?
Just by simplifying all those planning, engineering and resource consent work bylaws and regulations, TCC could have achieved the same thing, but for everybody, not one section of the community.
I'm not sure I can say "That's awesome TCC. Way to go! Excellent move forward"....
Why
Posted on 02-06-2026 19:06 | By Marcus_Aurelius
Why should the rate payer fund this? Let those that benefit directly pay.
@ Marcus_Aurelius
Posted on 03-06-2026 11:05 | By Yadick
Exactly. It should be the same for everyone or no-one.
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