Key Takeaways:
- Puke Aute papakāinga is a Māori housing project in Hawke’s Bay that aims to provide affordable homes and a community environment for its residents.
- The project is based on five key principles: politics and local government involvement, environmental care, economic opportunities, social responsibility, and cultural values.
- The papakāinga is built on ancestral Māori land and features vege gardens, lambs, chickens, and pigs, with residents renting, buying, or rent-to-buying homes.
- The project’s driving force, Zack Makaore, wants to see the model replicated nationwide to help people afford their own homes and benefit from a community environment.
- The papakāinga has a strong focus on mental wellbeing, with a emphasis on supporting people and whānau, and providing a sense of connection and community.
Introduction to Puke Aute Papakāinga
Puke Aute papakāinga, a Māori housing project in Hawke’s Bay, is a unique and innovative approach to providing affordable homes and a community environment for its residents. The project, which has been 30 years in the making, is the brainchild of Zack Makaore, who has a vision of creating a community that is based on five key principles: politics and local government involvement, environmental care, economic opportunities, social responsibility, and cultural values. The papakāinga is built on seven acres of ancestral Māori land, with the remaining 200 acres leased to Brownrigg Agriculture. The village features 10 brand new homes, vege gardens, lambs, chickens, and pigs, and residents have the option to rent, buy, or rent-to-buy their homes.
The Principles Behind Puke Aute
The five principles that underpin Puke Aute papakāinga are central to its success. Makaore explains that the project is based on a holistic approach that takes into account the social, economic, and environmental needs of its residents. The principles are designed to promote a sense of community and cooperation among residents, and to provide a supportive environment that allows people to thrive. The project’s focus on environmental care, for example, is reflected in the vege gardens and the raising of lambs, chickens, and pigs, which provide a source of fresh food for residents. The emphasis on economic opportunities is also key, with residents able to purchase their homes or rent-to-buy, and with opportunities for employment and training available through the project.
Life at Puke Aute
For residents like Vivienne Duxfield, Puke Aute papakāinga has been a life-changing experience. Duxfield, a pensioner, has taken responsibility for raising the village’s lambs and has become an integral part of the community. She loves the sense of connection and community that the papakāinga provides, and has learned much about Māori culture and traditions. The community is still taking shape, but Duxfield is optimistic about the direction it is taking. "There is a lot of work to keep a place like this running and it’s hard to achieve, but it’s really important and we’re beginning to develop a way of life," she says. The sense of community and cooperation among residents is palpable, with people sharing knowledge and skills, and working together to maintain the village.
A Model for the Future
Makaore’s vision for Puke Aute papakāinga is not limited to Hawke’s Bay. He believes that the model could be replicated nationwide, providing affordable homes and a community environment for people across New Zealand. "Why can’t we do it for all New Zealanders – you know, little villages – thousands of villages where we all work together and everyone feels comfortable in what they do and how they do it," he says. Makaore’s experience in helping people through his work with the Te Taitimu Trust, which he founded after losing his son to suicide, has given him a deep understanding of the importance of community and mental wellbeing. He believes that the papakāinga model could be a key part of addressing the housing crisis and promoting mental wellbeing in New Zealand.
Conclusion
Puke Aute papakāinga is a groundbreaking project that offers a unique solution to the housing crisis and promotes mental wellbeing through a sense of community and connection. The project’s focus on environmental care, economic opportunities, and social responsibility makes it a model for sustainable and inclusive community development. As Makaore says, "We need papakāinga for the rest of the country, not Housing New Zealand stuff, but people thinking about living in a community where everybody is working together as opposed to state housing." With its emphasis on community, cooperation, and cultural values, Puke Aute papakāinga is a project that has the potential to make a real difference in the lives of its residents and to inspire a new approach to housing and community development in New Zealand.