Government Secures Long-Term Future for Flood Recovery Homes in Westport

Twenty emergency homes built after devastating 2021 West Coast floods to remain in community housing supply under new local ownership agreement.

The Government has announced a major step toward strengthening long-term housing resilience on the West Coast, confirming that 20 homes originally built as emergency accommodation following the devastating 2021 West Coast floods will remain permanently in Westport under a new local ownership arrangement.

Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka and South Island Minister James Meager said the initiative transforms a temporary disaster response into a lasting housing asset for the region, helping address ongoing accommodation demand while supporting economic recovery and future resilience.

Under the agreement, the Government will transfer ownership of the 20 homes located at Paparoa Way to local control for $1.2 million, ensuring the properties continue contributing to Westport's housing supply for years to come.

The homes were originally installed by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) in the aftermath of the catastrophic 2021 floods, which caused widespread destruction across the Buller District and displaced numerous families and residents.

"Following the 2021 floods, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Temporary Accommodation Service put these homes in place quickly to support families when they needed it most," Mr Potaka said.

"The emergency response was critical, and our Government is focused on making sure those short-term solutions continue to deliver long-term outcomes."

The homes were delivered in partnership with the Buller District Council as part of the region's recovery efforts and are currently fully occupied, including by workers who have relocated to Westport to support local industries and economic activity.

Officials say retaining the homes within the community will help address ongoing housing shortages in the region while also supporting workforce attraction and retention in one of New Zealand's more geographically isolated areas.

"These are modern, near-new homes," Mr Potaka said.

"Keeping them in the community means they will continue to support families, enable workers to stay, and back the region's recovery and growth."

The decision reflects growing recognition that temporary disaster-response infrastructure can also play a longer-term role in addressing regional housing pressures, particularly in smaller communities facing limited housing availability and rising demand.

Westport and the wider West Coast region have experienced ongoing housing challenges in recent years, driven by workforce demand, limited new housing stock, natural disaster recovery pressures, and affordability concerns.

South Island Minister James Meager described the initiative as a practical and forward-looking solution that combines recovery support with long-term regional development.

"We are turning an emergency response into a lasting asset for Westport," Mr Meager said.

"This is a common-sense, forward-thinking initiative that supports a steady, long-term supply of high-quality housing for the West Coast."

He added that the move also improves the region's ability to respond to future emergencies and climate-related events.

"It is also a practical step to increase Westport's resilience for future events," Mr Meager said.

The transfer arrangement is being viewed as an example of closer collaboration between central and local government to maximise the long-term value of public investment made during disaster recovery operations.

Housing and infrastructure experts say the model could potentially influence how temporary emergency housing assets are managed in future disaster recovery situations across New Zealand, especially as climate-related extreme weather events become more frequent and severe.

"This is a strong example of central and local government working together to deliver for communities, ensuring good housing remains available where it's needed, both now and into the future," Mr Potaka said.

"The sale reflects a balanced approach, supporting ongoing social and economic use of the homes while making the transition workable for a small district."

The Government also confirmed that the Temporary Accommodation Service will continue maintaining a flexible pool of housing resources capable of being rapidly deployed during future emergencies and natural disasters.

The announcement comes as New Zealand continues investing heavily in climate resilience, regional infrastructure, and emergency preparedness following a series of major weather events over recent years, including floods, cyclones, and severe storms that have displaced communities nationwide.

For Westport, officials say the retention of the Paparoa Way homes provides not only housing stability but also a stronger platform for long-term economic recovery and regional growth.