Hawke’s Bay to Gain 150+ New Social Homes Under Government Housing Reset

Minister Bishop emphasised that the current Government is committed to building “the right homes, in the right place, with the right support” for the New Zealanders most in need.

More than 150 new social homes are set to be delivered across Hawke’s Bay as the Government accelerates its nationwide overhaul of the social housing system. Housing Minister Chris Bishop says the region is already seeing the benefits of stronger partnerships with Community Housing Providers (CHPs) and a renewed focus on delivering homes that match real community needs.

A New Direction for Social Housing Delivery

Minister Bishop emphasised that the current Government is committed to building “the right homes, in the right place, with the right support” for the New Zealanders most in need. He said the social housing market had long suffered from mismatched supply, outdated stock, and an uneven spread of homes across regions.

To change that, the Government has introduced a new investment system centred on better allocation of funding, simplified settings for providers, and targeted delivery pipelines that reflect up-to-date data from the Housing Register and emergency housing usage.

Strong National Progress Since Late 2023

Since November 2023, CHPs and Kāinga Ora have collectively delivered more than 6,800 net new social homes nationwide, showcasing rapid progress under the new settings. Of these, 356 homes have been completed in Hawke’s Bay.

Alongside these completions, the Government has committed funding for a further 2,000+ homes over the next two years, with Hawke’s Bay highlighted as one of the key regions benefiting from this expanding pipeline.

Hawke’s Bay Delivery Plan: Homes Where They Are Needed Most

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has allocated social housing places across Hawke’s Bay based on need indicators, local demand trends, population pressures, and the high proportion of applicants requiring smaller homes.

Key details of the regional plan include:

• At least 150 new homes to be delivered through CHPs such as Emerge Aotearoa, Habitat for Humanity, Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga, and Ka Uruora.

• Delivery locations across the region, including Marewa, Parkvale, Taradale, Napier South, and Hastings, ensuring housing is distributed where the demand is strongest.

• Leadership and coordination through the Hawke’s Bay Matariki Housing Leadership Group, which plays a central role in identifying needs and supporting community-led delivery.

• All homes currently underway are one- or two-bedroom, specifically designed to address the biggest gap in local supply. HUD data shows that 77 percent of Hawke’s Bay’s Housing Register applicants are seeking one- or two-bedroom homes.

Minister Bishop said his earlier meeting with the Matariki Housing Leadership Group reinforced the value of local expertise: “It was great to be in a room full of people committed to providing the housing people need in Hawke’s Bay.”

Addressing the National Shortage of Smaller Homes

Across New Zealand, the shortage of small homes has persisted for years. Approximately half of all applicants on the national Housing Register need a one-bedroom property, yet currently only 12 percent of Kāinga Ora’s stock meets that requirement.

“These new homes will make a real difference,” Bishop said. “Every set of keys handed over is another person or family in a warm, dry, and safe home. The goal is not just more homes—but the right homes.”

New Financial Supports Strengthening CHP Delivery

As part of its broader social housing reset, the Government has taken steps to strengthen the financial footing of CHPs and simplify the system they operate in.

Recent initiatives include:

• The Community Housing Funding Agency securing an A+ credit rating from S&P Global, a major milestone that reinforces confidence in the sector.

• The introduction of a loan guarantee scheme, reducing borrowing costs for CHPs and enabling them to build more homes more efficiently.

• A commitment to simplifying funding streams, ensuring providers can focus on delivery rather than navigating overlapping and complex funding channels.

Minister Bishop said these financial tools are already supporting better outcomes: “We’re making it easier for providers to get on with building homes.”

Early Deliveries and the Road Ahead

Six homes have already been completed in Napier South, delivered by Whatever It Takes Trust. More than 130 additional homes have been formally approved, with construction and delivery scheduled from mid-2026 onward.

Providers including Emerge Aotearoa, Habitat for Humanity, Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga, and Ka Uruora will work alongside construction partners of their choice to bring these projects to completion.

The Government says these efforts illustrate early progress in its attempt to reset and modernise the social housing system—one that prioritises community partnership, stronger local delivery, and a more accurate match between housing supply and regional needs.