On 29 November 2025, before the sun woke from its slumber, our community gathered in quiet anticipation to mark a moment many years in the making—the opening of Maraeroa Papakāinga.
As the first light crept across the whenua, a dawn blessing was held for each whare. One by one, the homes stood illuminated in the pre-dawn glow, warm and welcoming, carrying the hopes, aspirations, and collective effort of whānau who have long dreamed of seeing this papakāinga realised. It was a powerful and emotional moment—both a beginning and a homecoming.
Maraeroa Papakāinga represents far more than a housing development. It is the outcome of sustained collaboration, careful planning, and a shared commitment to strengthening whānau and community wellbeing in Utakura. The journey to this point has not been without its challenges, but those challenges have shaped a solution that is stronger, more resilient, and deeply grounded in tikanga and collective care.
What has been achieved here is not simply infrastructure. These homes embody manaakitanga, intergenerational thinking, and the principle that housing can—and should—support connection to whenua, whakapapa, and community. The papakāinga model allows our whānau to remain on their ancestral land, reinforcing identity, belonging, and long-term stability.
The opening of Maraeroa Papakāinga also reflects the power of partnership. We acknowledge with gratitude the support and confidence shown by The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Te Puni Kōkiri, Foundation North, and The Tindall Foundation. Their generous contributions have helped turn aspiration into lasting impact, enabling a development that responds to the real needs of our people and honours the values of collective living.
For Utakura, Maraeroa Papakāinga stands as a symbol of what is possible when vision is matched with perseverance and shared responsibility. As whānau prepare to make these houses their homes, the papakāinga will continue to grow not just as a place to live, but as a living expression of resilience, unity, and care for future generations.
This dawn marked more than the opening of doors—it marked the strengthening of a community.
Utakura 7 Incorporation 