Luke Street - Community Housing

Te Ara is a modernisation of Ka Puta Ka Ora - Emerge Aotearoa Housing Trust's existing housing portfolio, involving the demolition of the original 1950s flats and their replacement with 18 purpose-built one-bedroom homes.

The development was designed by Wingate Architects and built by Signature Commercial Construction.

The name Te Ara was gifted by Tainui and reflects the act of turning a waka upside down, with the keel representing the ridgepole of a house. The project draws on the cultural context of Ōtāhuhu, where ō refers to “place of” and tāhuhu to the ridgepole of a house. The building form is informed by the historic Tainui waka journey from the Tāmaki River to the western seaboard, crossing a low ridge likened to the ridgepole of a house.

Each one-bedroom unit is approximately 50 m². Four ground-floor homes have been designed to be accessible, supporting residents to live independently and safely regardless of physical ability.

PJM Project Management acted as client-side project manager and Engineer to the Contract, providing project management and contract administration services through the design, procurement, and construction phases.

The project delivers warm, durable homes that support long-term housing outcomes and contribute to the wellbeing of residents and the wider Ōtāhuhu community.