We’re looking ahead to an exciting year! Our housing developments continue to progress, and throughout 2026 we expect to move closer to welcoming whānau into warm, safe whare.

To help you prepare for these opportunities, Mana Ahuriri and Tamatea Pōkai Whenua have partnered with Ka Uruora – a PSGE and iwi-led kaupapa that will support you to build financial confidence and move toward your housing goals.

Together, we’ve created opportunities for you to take part in Te Uru Ahupūtea, our financial literacy course. These courses are the first step in accessing future housing opportunities, and they’re free, supportive, and open to all our registered members.

To register your interest or learn more about the courses above register here Financial Education – Ka Uruora.

We encourage you to come along, get the right support around you, and start preparing for the opportunities coming in 2026. Keep an eye out on our channels for more information over the coming weeks. 

E mihi kau ana, 

Mana Ahuriri and Tamatea Pōkai Whenua

Ka Uruora Te Matau-a-Māui is a brand new PSGE led Kaupapa of services,
support and affordable housing opportunities to help our iwi whānau
members achieve financial independence. We are excited to bring this
Kaupapa to Te Matau-a-Māui and are looking for a purpose driven person to
join our new Ka Uruora Team.

About the Role

• Based in Hawke’s Bay
• Full time with an initial 3-year fixed term
• Salary – $70k-85k
• Job/working flexibility

Who are we looking for?

• Someone who is passionate about supporting PSGE/iwi/Māori Kaupapa and whānau
• Someone who wants to make a real and positive impacts in our hapori and rohe
• Is values and purpose driven and loves working with whānau
• Has strong networks across Te Matau-a-Māui
• Is excited to support innovative, affordable and quality housing solutions for our communities
• Has high aspirations for Māori home ownership Tūranga – Primary Focus of the Role
• Promote and grow critical awareness for the Ka Uruora Te Matau-a-Māui programme of services
• Plan & deliver financial education workshops
• Provide one-on-one navigational support
• Assist whānau to implement financial goals and planning
• Support whānau to access housing opportunities
• Programme coordination and administration

Applications close 14 September 2025
Apply now – For more information or to view the job description, email support.tmm@kauruora.nz.

Mana Ahuriri Trust and Tamatea Pokai Whenua are proud to support the launch of Ka Uruora Te Matau a Māui. Contact us if you have any patai.

In the shadow of Hawke’s Bay Airport lies a stretch of 1,330 hectares known as Ahuriri Station—land that represents not just property, but a profound cultural reconnection and economic opportunity for the region. As the Mana Ahuriri Trust moves forward with ambitious development plans for this significant parcel, a new chapter in Hawke’s Bay’s story is beginning to unfold.

A Historical Journey Coming Full Circle

For centuries, the area around what is now Ahuriri Station was part of Te Whanganui ā Orotu, a vibrant lagoon ecosystem that served as the lifeblood for local Māori communities. Rich in kaimoana (seafood) and natural resources, this area sustained generations before undergoing dramatic changes following European settlement.

In 1851, the Crown acquired these lands, separating local hapū from their ancestral territories for 170 years. The 2021 Treaty settlement that returned Ahuriri Station to Mana Ahuriri Trust marked a historic reconnection—restoring not just land but cultural heritage and economic potential to its traditional guardians.

Building on Recent Success: The Airport Acquisition

The Trust’s vision for regional development took a significant step forward recently,

“A milestone has been reached for the 50% sale of Hawkes Bay Airport with a price between the crown and the Mana Ahuriri Trust.  While the sale is not yet finalised, the process is well advanced” The New Zealand Herald.

This strategic acquisition could position Mana Ahuriri Trust as a key stakeholder in the region’s transportation infrastructure, creating natural synergies with their plans for nearby Ahuriri Station.

The potential airport investment demonstrates the Trust’s commitment to long-term regional development and their capacity to engage in major commercial ventures that benefit both their members and the wider Hawke’s Bay community. It also creates opportunities for integrated planning between these neighboring properties, potentially enhancing both developments.

A Comprehensive Vision for Ahuriri Station

Mana Ahuriri Trust’s development plans for Ahuriri Station are ambitious and multifaceted, designed to create intergenerational benefits while addressing pressing regional needs:

Housing Development

With plans for over 1,000 new homes, the residential development at Ahuriri Station aims to address housing shortages in Hawke’s Bay while creating a community where cultural values are embedded in design and planning. This housing will serve both Trust members and the wider community, with potential for innovative housing models that promote affordability and sustainability.

Industrial and Commercial Opportunities

An industrial precinct forms another cornerstone of the development vision, designed to create employment opportunities and economic resilience. This could include warehousing, technology hubs, or green manufacturing facilities—industries that would complement existing regional strengths while diversifying the local economy.

Cultural Heritage Protection

The development plans incorporate careful protection of wāhi taonga (treasured sites), including areas near the historically significant Pakake battle site. This cultural heritage component ensures that the area’s rich history remains visible and honored within any new development.

Environmental Restoration

Addressing both cultural values and climate resilience, wetland restoration forms a key part of the development strategy. These efforts will enhance biodiversity, improve water quality, and create natural buffers against flooding and rising sea levels—challenges identified in environmental assessments of the property.

Sustainable Aquaculture

Perhaps one of the most innovative aspects of the development vision is the potential establishment of a sustainable fish farm. This initiative would create a modern echo of the traditional food gathering that once occurred in Te Whanganui ā Orotu lagoon, representing both cultural continuity and forward-looking enterprise.

Navigating Development Challenges

The Trust’s plans acknowledge significant challenges that must be addressed for successful development. Environmental studies by Tonkin + Taylor have identified hazards including flood risk, earthquake vulnerability, and sea level rise concerns.

Rather than seeing these as insurmountable obstacles, the Trust is exploring innovative solutions—elevating buildings in flood-prone areas, implementing enhanced stormwater systems, and using wetland restoration as natural infrastructure to mitigate environmental risks.

The financial aspects of the development also require careful navigation. While the Trust has reserves to support development, the full realization of their vision will likely involve strategic partnerships, phased development approaches, and leveraging the Fast Track status that has been granted to expedite the project.

Economic Impacts for Hawke’s Bay

When fully realized, the Ahuriri Station development has the potential to significantly impact the regional economy. Beyond the immediate construction jobs, the industrial precinct could create hundreds of permanent positions across various sectors.

The proximity to Hawke’s Bay Airport creates opportunities for businesses that benefit from transportation links, while the residential development would stimulate retail and service businesses in surrounding areas.

A Model of Integrated Development

What makes the Ahuriri Station development particularly noteworthy is its integrated approach—balancing economic, cultural, environmental, and social objectives rather than pursuing any single aim in isolation.

This holistic vision represents a potential model for development throughout New Zealand, demonstrating how Treaty settlements can serve as foundations for regional transformation that benefits Māori and non-Māori communities alike.

Looking Ahead

As planning continues and development begins to take shape over the coming years, Ahuriri Station stands to become one of the most significant transformation projects in Hawke’s Bay’s recent history.

The project represents more than just buildings and infrastructure—it embodies a vision where economic prosperity and cultural renaissance go hand in hand, where environmental restoration coexists with development, and where historical wrongs give way to future opportunities.

For Hawke’s Bay residents, this development promises new housing options, employment opportunities, and enhanced community spaces. For Mana Ahuriri Trust members, it represents the fulfillment of a long-held vision to reconnect with ancestral lands while creating sustainable prosperity for future generations.

As this ambitious project moves from planning to reality, it will undoubtedly reshape not just the physical landscape around Napier, but the economic and cultural landscape of the wider Hawke’s Bay region.

Note: The development of Ahuriri Station is currently in planning phases. Specific details of the development may evolve as the project progresses.

Mana Ahuriri Trust.

Kia ora e te Whānau

Here is an opportunity for our whānau who are tradies working in the building industry. Our Hapai Housing / Mana Ahuriri Joint Venture, has recently gone to market for a design and construct (IYKYK) contractor to deliver the Owen Street housing development.

As part of our commitment to Mana Ahuriri members in providing opportunities for you to be involved in our developments we would like to share with you the contractors who have been selected to tender for this project.

The shortlisted design and construction partners selected to tender for this project are:

• MCL Limited
• Atkins Construction Limited
• Alexander Construction Limited
• TW Construction Limited

All have a demonstrated track record of delivering projects of this scale in the Hawkes Bay.

A key component of the procurement process is the progressive procurement of Mana Ahuriri and Māori businesses and demonstrating a commitment to creating opportunities for Mana Ahuriri whānau and whānau whānui.

Whānau if you are a Tradie yourself, your kids or moko are tradies, you work for a Tradie, own a Trade Business and are interested in participating in the project, please register your interest with the following entities.

Design and construct tenders close on the 29th November 2024, so please ensure you make contact.

Hoiano e te whanau

If you’re in the industry or have whanau in the industry and not quite sure about contacting the above 4 but would be keen to know more about our developments then please contact us on MAHLP@manaahuriri.org and we will gather some information about you, your business or the company you work for and invite you to our roadshow for Pakihi Māori involvement in our developments or simply send you some info so you can be connected and informed on work opportunities within our developments.

Please feel free to share this contact with our local Pakihi Māori, Tradies in the building industry so they to can register their interest in working with us.

A bit about the project

Owen Street is a 24 units multi level apartment complex, situated over 3 levels.

The development will be fully landscaped, key to which will be incorporating design elements and features that are distinctively Mana Ahuriri

The apartment complex will provide a mix of housing typologies including 1 and 2 bedroom units and will include a range of design features to promote affordable living for whanau.

The development is being delivered by the Mana   Ahuriri/ Hapai Housing Joint Venture who will be delivering a number of developments across the rohe targeted at providing housing solutions and opportunities for whanau.

Ka Uruora will be further progressing opportunities for whanau to accessing the housing solutions being delivered 2025.

Expected completion of the Owen Street project is early 2026.

Ngā mihi nui

MAHLP Team