The Village Blueprint: Why This Hawke’s Bay Papakāinga Wants to Take Its Māori Housing Model Nationwide
By Lions Roar News Community & Society Desk
TE HAUKE, HAWKE’S BAY (January 8, 2026) — Nestled on seven acres of ancestral land just south of Hastings, a new way of living is taking root. Puke Aute, a 10-home papakāinga development, is more than just a housing project—it is a community model that its founders believe could solve New Zealand’s housing and social isolation crises.
With rent-to-buy options, shared vegetable gardens, and a strict code of conduct, Puke Aute is proving that “village life” might be the best path forward for Aotearoa.
🏠 More Than Four Walls: The Puke Aute Model
Built with support from government initiatives like Te Puni Kōkiri, Puke Aute is a mix of renters, buyers, and those on “rent-to-buy” pathways. Crucially, while people can own their whare (homes), the ancestral land remains in a trust and can never be sold.
The village is built on five “Pou” (Principles):
- Politics: Strong local government engagement.
- Environment: Looking after the land and sustainable living.
- Economy: Growing local opportunities and financial stability.
- Social Help: Assisting others within the wider society.
- Manaakitanga: Building a positive, supportive culture.
“Our whānau have been able to save money because the rent isn’t so high,” says Zack Makaore, the visionary behind the project. “We also stand up to having no gang patches and no methamphetamine—just a culture of people working, training, and kids thriving.”
🐑 A “Coming Home” for All Ages
For residents like Vivienne Duxfield, a pensioner who wasn’t raised with Māori culture, moving to Puke Aute has been a spiritual and social homecoming.
Without grandchildren of her own, Vivienne has become the village “nanny,” taking children with her to feed the lambs and pigs. “I’ve learned more about the culture… there is a coming home in that way,” she says. “Here I have many grandchildren, and it’s wonderful.”
🌱 A National Vision for Aotearoa
Makaore, who founded the Te Taitimu Trust in 2007 following the loss of his son to suicide, views housing as a vital component of mental wellbeing. He believes the current state housing model is insufficient and that the “village mentality” should be available to everyone.
“Why can’t we do it for all New Zealanders? Thousands of villages where we all work together… not Housing New Zealand stuff, but people thinking about living in a community,” Makaore says.
As the economy faces a downturn, Makaore argues it is the perfect time for the government and private sectors to transition toward this community-focused housing model.
