Waikato District Council is breaking down barriers to make it easier for Maaori landowners to build and develop papakaainga housing on whenua Maaori.
The proposed Waikato District Plan rules around Maaori purpose activities, including papakaainga developments, are now more enabling so ancestral Maaori land can be utilised for the benefit of its shareholders and their descendants.
Jodi Bell-Wymer, Kaiwhakamaahere Community Growth at Waikato District Council, says that by making the district plan rules around building on whenua Maaori less restrictive, it reduces one of the barriers Maaori landowners face when trying to develop their whenua.
“Papakaainga are vital for marae sustainability and can create employment opportunities as well as providing a stronger connection to whenua. They open a plethora of opportunities for Maaori, beginning with sustainable living in healthy homes and home ownership."
While the Waikato District Council rules are leading the way in this area, papakaainga developments are a much bigger issue at a national level.
“Developing papakaainga is a lengthy process that requires lots of communication, hui, planning, navigating, finance and paperwork before even getting to the build stage.”
With a webpage dedicated to each step in the development process as well as staff on hand to answer queries, Jodi says the Council are committed to helping whaanau realise their papakaainga dreams.
Visit the Waikato District Council Te Whakawhanake Papakaainga webpage to learn more.