After 13 years of renting, Paea Tai is looking forward to becoming a homeowner thanks to the Whakaatu Whanaunga Trust.

Ms Tai and her moko, Otenuku, had the honour of turning the first sod at the site of her future home as the trust unveiled its latest housing initiative on Buchanan Street.

Representatives of the trust, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Housing Habitat, Ōpōtiki District Council and whānau gathered for the occasion on Tuesday.

Trust chief executive Steven Walker said one three-bedroom house, and five four-bedroom houses, would be built on the site to “develop whānau wealth” with the house-and-land packages valued at between $500,000 and $570,000 each.

“This is more than putting whānau into homes,” he said.

“Home ownership is more than just acquiring a property, it's about creating a sense of stability, nurturing generational wealth, and ensuring that our people have a secure foundation for their future.

“By supporting Māori into home ownership, we are not only strengthening individual whānau but also uplifting our entire community.”

Mr Walker said they “drew straws” to determine which of the eligible families would receive the first houses in the Progressive Home Ownership programme.

Ms Tai, who was born and raised in Ōpōtiki, said she had always wanted to be a homeowner.

The house would be a home for her along with immediate and extended whānau.

“It will be me and four children living here, as well as extended whānau when they are visiting Ōpōtiki,” she said.

“We are really happy, and we want to acknowledge Whakaatu Whanaunga Trust for helping us with housing.”

Des Bickerton from Housing Habitat said he was passionate about building houses for whānau.

The houses going on the site would be modern, prefabricated homes, which were easy to assemble.

Funding for the homes has come from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development’s Progressive Home Ownership Fund.

Project consultant Shanon Garden, who along with Debbie Bean from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has been involved with the project since the start, said the council had been good to work with.

Deputy Mayor Shona Browne said it was exciting to see the project going ahead.