Harakeke Pa

Church Street and Pioneer Highway | Palmerston North

This 46-unit social housing development in Palmerston North was completed in May 2021 and given the Maori name Harakeke Pa.

Developed by the Soho Group, Hareke Pa features one and two-bedroom units and two three-storey apartment-style buildings across five separate blocks. It has accessible units and garden ground floor apartments and there is on site carparking for all the units. It is situated a short walk from Palmerston North’s central square and is within easy walking distance to a variety of local amenities.

Home in Place has a 25-year contract with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development to provide tenancy and property management.

The complex is one of several that the Soho Group is building around New Zealand to address the acute shortage of social and affordable housing.

“This is a 25-year commitment from us, we have a solid partnership... with developments in Auckland and Whanganui” says Soho Group Managing Director Sam Wallace.

Home in Place worked closely with MSD and Kainga Ora to provide these high quality homes for those who were previously living in emergency and transitional housing or properties that do not meet tenant needs. Home in Place also worked closely with other community housing organisations and support services agencies who referred clients with acute housing need.

The Harakeke

The title Harakeke Pa, symbolises the home and cycle of the Harakeke. As the shoots of the Harakeke grow with age, they become older, stronger. Like our Kaumatua tenants or elder tenants, the shoots become the guardians / protectors of the new Harakeke shoots that will grow and bring new life to the Harakeke.

Hutia te rito o te harakeke. Kei hea te Komako e ko? Ki kai ki ahau.He aha te mea nui? He aha te mea nui o tea o? Maku e ki atu. He Tangata! He Tangata! He Tangata!

If you pluck out the flax shoot, where will the bellbird sing? It will fly in land, it will fly seawards. If you ask me the most important thing in the world? I will reply, People! People! People!