Excerpt and Photo from 1news.co.nz
Housing is hard to find on the islands, with cases of some deposits of up to 50% required if someone is looking to buy.
The project is being led by Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri, who hopes to ease the housing shortage for families living there, which is hindering the economy.
The islands “can’t recruit families because there are no three-bedroom homes available for rental. It’s really quite hard,” said Ngāti Mutunga o Wharekauri Iwi Trust’s Gail Amaru.
Mayor Monique Croon said people are desperate for new houses.
“I think, if you could build 30 houses here, we would fill them,” she said.
When the holidays end, the islands’ youngsters will return to the mainland for boarding school. It’s returning families the island wants to attract.
“It’s a lifestyle. People from here like to return, they like to contribute, and it’s a beautiful place to bring your tamariki up,” Amaru said.