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Completion of Western Village community housing celebrated with official blessing.
A significant milestone for community housing in Te Hiku was celebrated on 5th November, with the official blessing of Western Village marking the completion of 28 new homes designed to support independent living for older residents in Kaitaia.
The blessing brought together project partners and community representatives to celebrate the completion of the development and acknowledge the collaborative effort behind its delivery.
Located within the Claud Switzer Memorial Trust village on South Road, Western Village has been delivered through a partnership between Far North Holdings, the Claud Switzer Memorial Trust and the Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport.
The development provides 28 purpose-designed, one-bedroom homes for people aged over 50, with capacity to accommodate up to 56 residents. With the first residents expected to move in during November, Western Village will help address the growing demand for quality community housing across Te Hiku.
More than just housing
Western Village has been designed to provide an environment where older residents can maintain their independence while enjoying a sense of community and belonging.
The development has achieved a Homestar 6 rating, recognising its focus on healthy, energy-efficient homes. Accessible bathrooms, level entry and other design features have been incorporated into many of the homes, while external pathways and landscaped areas have been designed with the needs of kaumātua and kuia in mind.
Landscaped gardens, fruit trees and a covered communal gathering area provide opportunities for residents to connect, socialise and enjoy their surroundings.
Claud Switzer Memorial Trust Chief Executive Tina Mills previously highlighted the wider purpose behind the development.
“Western Village has always been about much more than building houses. It is about creating homes where people can feel safe and secure, maintain their independence, stay connected to whānau and community, and continue to live with dignity and purpose.”
Reflecting on the partnership, Mills also said:
“I am incredibly proud of what has been achieved through this partnership and grateful to our Trustees for their vision and commitment. Ultimately, the true success of the Western Village will be measured by the lives lived within these homes and the community that grows around them.”
A successful partnership delivering for the Far North
Far North Holdings led the project management of Western Village, guiding the development from planning and design through to construction and completion.
The project presented some challenges, particularly the site's ground conditions, which required significant additional preparation and a substantial pre-loading platform to achieve the necessary stability before construction could progress.
Principal contractor Far North Roading successfully navigated these challenges, delivering the main construction works on programme and budget, supported by a wider team of contractors, designers and consultants. Key organisations involved included Far North Roading, Panel Lock, Arcline Architecture, Wilton Joubert, Haigh Workman and Eco Insite.
Far North Holdings CEO Andy Nock previously emphasised the importance of working with local organisations to deliver meaningful community outcomes.
“Far North Holdings is all about helping to create prosperous, thriving communities and for this to exist we need to be developing homes that provide their residents with quality of life and healthy living conditions.
“This can only be achieved by partnering with local organisations who understand the needs of individuals and families living in those communities.”
A milestone for community housing in Te Hiku
The official blessing marked the successful completion of the development and the beginning of an important new chapter for Claud Switzer Memorial Trust and its future residents.
As a registered Community Housing Provider, the Trust will manage the homes and their residents, building on its long-standing commitment to supporting older people across Te Hiku.
With 28 new homes now completed, Western Village demonstrates what can be achieved through partnerships that bring together local knowledge, development expertise and a shared commitment to meeting community needs.
Far North Holdings continues to pursue additional development opportunities consistent with central Government policy settings, with a focus on helping meet the growing demand for community housing across the Far North.
