A special event took place in Aranui today to celebrate the official opening of a new housing complex spearheaded by the community organisation He Waka Tapu.
MP for Christchurch East Reuben Davidson congratulated the team from He Waka Tapu on the opening of new affordable rental housing on Shortland Street.
“Their commitment and partnership has delivered great housing, that is well designed, properly insulated, and solar-powered to keep the bills down.
“We need more of this and a government that backs it. Today was a celebration of community and the completion of a project thirty years in the planning. Here’s to many more.”
Wigram MP Megan Woods also praised the new homes, saying, “These are beautiful new homes, now just waiting for families to fill them.”
He Waka Tapu spokesperson expressed their gratitude in an online statement, saying, “Today marks a massive milestone for us both as an organisation and as a community, as we reflect upon the many hands involved in this massive project and what it means to us for the future of our whānau/hapori.
“We wish to extend a massive thanks to all in attendance today and to all our amazing partners and stakeholders who continue to contribute their time and energy to this hugely important kaupapa.”
Through collaborations with funders and stakeholders, He Waka Tapu provides personalised health consultations, community health initiatives, mental health crisis intervention, addiction support services, reintegration programmes, family violence prevention, and educational offerings to promote holistic well-being in communities.