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Port Waikato MP Andrew Bayly says Kāinga Ora ignored concerns from a specialist school and the community over a planned housing development in Pukekohe.
“As the local MP, I have over the past few months met with Ministers concerning the Kāinga Ora development at 172-178 Wellington Street,” Bayly told the Franklin Times.
“Despite knowing that Parkside Specialist School cares for severely and profoundly disabled children, and that the school had significant concerns about the proposed development on its immediate border, Kāinga Ora refused to accept any of the school’s and community’s concerns.”
Bayly said he understood the Minister of Housing had also discussed the project with Kāinga Ora, but the development proceeded.
Bayly had been advised that the Ministry of Education had explored purchasing the land for educational purposes.
“However, Kāinga Ora said the land has been used for public housing since the 1970s and was not deemed surplus.”
Bayly said Kāinga Ora had committed to working with the school and the Ministry of Social Development to explore housing opportunities for families connected to the school, including those on the housing register who may be eligible for the homes.
Bayly said he met with Kāinga Ora and later wrote to officials asking them to consider Parkside School’s offer to acquire the houses bordering the school, or potentially the entire development.
He also asked that windows not be placed on the side of the homes overlooking the school.
“As the local MP, I have taken the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education to Parkside, as it is recognised as an exemplar for the way it delivers its services to vulnerable New Zealanders,” he said.
“I believe Kāinga Ora’s decision will in time be regarded as a significant lost opportunity to futureproof services for children with profound disabilities in Franklin.”
Bayly said a positive outcome had been the recent announcement of a new specialist school planned for Drury.
“One good outcome has been that the Minister of Education has recently announced a plan to build a new specialist school at a Drury site,” he said.
An Establishment Board has been appointed for the new school, which includes Parkside Specialist School principal Carol Willard.
Kāinga Ora regional director for Counties Manukau, Angela Pearce, told the Franklin Times, “the site in Wellington Street has been used for social housing since the 1970s and the development underway, is part of our commitment to meeting the significant housing need in the Pukekohe/Franklin Local Board area.
“The land is not surplus to Kāinga Ora’s requirements. In the Pukekohe/Franklin Local Board area, more than 150 families are on the Ministry of Social Development’s Social Housing Register and have no suitable place to live.”
Pearce said the site will deliver 12 modern homes, built to Healthy Homes standards, with a mix of sizes to support families, including homes with accessible features. Dedicated off-street parking will also be provided for residents.
“The development was first proposed in 2022, when Kāinga Ora engaged with stakeholders including Parkside Specialist School and the Ministry of Education, and we’ve continued those conversations in the years since,” she said.
“Earthworks and foundations are now completed, and framing for the homes is going up. Given the urgent need for housing, we are continuing with the development, which is due to be completed in the middle of this year.”
“Kāinga Ora acknowledges the concerns raised by Parkside Specialist School and members of the local community. We have committed to working closely with the school and MSD to explore housing opportunities for families that are connected to the school and are on the MSD Housing Register. Some families from the school may be eligible for these homes,” Pearce said.
A petition to halt the development closed with 638 signatures on December 12 last year.
