KiwiBuild

KiwiBuild works to build quality, affordable homes in the right places, at the right prices, to give New Zealanders a fair chance to own a home of their own.

Over the last decade, affordable housing has become increasingly out of reach. The demand for homes has far exceeded supply and the majority of new homes built have not been at the affordable end of the market.

KiwiBuild is just one part of the Government’s plan to tackle the housing crisis. KiwiBuild is working to change what we build, where we build, and how we build it.   

Firstly, KiwiBuild is increasing the supply of affordable homes by working with property developers to build more affordable, high-quality, starter homes for eligible New Zealanders in the areas that need them.

Secondly, KiwiBuild is transforming how we build - by driving innovation and developing new ways to build high-quality homes, using modern factory building. This is sometimes called modular or prefabricated housing. It keeps costs down, delivers high-quality design and gets more homes completed faster.

The scale of the KiwiBuild programme is vast, and the demand it creates will allow the construction and development industry to invest in their people and new technology. It will help to smooth out the ‘boom-bust’ cycle that has plagued the sector in the past and help prevent another housing shortage emerging in the future.

Most importantly, KiwiBuild will help first home buyers to own their own home.

It’s an ambitious project and it has to be – over the coming years KiwiBuild will transform the way housing is delivered to New Zealanders.

You can learn more about the KiwiBuild programme and KiwiBuild homes on the KiwiBuild website.

The KiwiBuild Unit was set up in December 2017 to deliver the Government’s KiwiBuild programme. 

Working with developers and stakeholders

We are responsible for identifying and leveraging opportunities in the development industry to procure KiwiBuild dwellings.

We also investigate innovative approaches to address the current constraints within the development sector, including alternative financing approaches and construction methodologies.

Our responsibilities include:

• coordinating and supporting the delivery of KiwiBuild homes through the planned redevelopment of public housing land, alongside new public and open market homes
• scaling up the building of KiwiBuild homes on vacant or under-utilised Crown-owned land
• accelerating private developments by purchasing (or underwriting) new affordable homes off the plans
• investigating major greenfield and urban redevelopment projects, so they can be progressed swiftly by the Housing and Urban Development Authority
• working with councils, iwi and private developers

Working with eligible KiwiBuild buyers

The KiwiBuild Unit provides the guidelines and criteria for potential KiwiBuild buyers, and oversees the eligibility and pre-qualification processes as well as the  sales method of available homes.

We communicate with New Zealanders through the KiwiBuild database, and assist developers in the marketing of available homes.

Our responsibilities include:

• managing eligibility, pre-qualification, direct sales and ballot processes for KiwiBuild buyers
• related policy development
• monitoring
• compliance

Our commitment to, and obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi — Treaty of Waitangi apply to our negotiations and other joint opportunities to work on housing for New Zealanders.

Auckland

The Tāmaki Makaurau Collective Redress Deed was signed in 2012 between the Crown and Ngā Mana Whenua o Tāmaki Makaurau (Ngā Mana Whenua).

The Deed provides that where the Government intends to develop Crown land subject to the Right of First Refusal in that Deed, a Housing Protocol applies.

The Housing Protocol, administered by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), stipulates that Ngā Mana Whenua (through the Whenua Haumi Roroa o Tāmaki Makaurau Limited Partnership) must be offered the first opportunity to be the developer under the same terms and conditions as would apply to the private sector.

A Housing Mahi Ngātahi Agreement with Ngā Mana Whenua, which is inherited by the new Ministry of HUD, applies to these negotiations and other joint opportunities to work on housing.

Other regions

The KiwiBuild Unit has agreements with iwi in other regions, including in Kaipara and Queenstown, where Crown land identified for housing is subject to Treaty settlements.

HUD will also inherit these agreements and is open to similar negotiations in new regions where KiwiBuild homes will be delivered.