Te Toi Mahana unveils 10-year plan for 500 new homes

Monday, 13 October 2025

Renders of Te Toi Mahana's Tawa development on Lyndhurst Rd.

The agency overseeing much Wellington’s community housing has set its sights on building 500 new homes in the capital over the next 10 years, with its first two developments under way early next year.

On the back of government-run Kāinga Ora having already cancelled swathes of social house projects ‒ and a further 300 builds at risk as a decision on the Arlington development remains pending ‒ Te Toi Mahana’s announcement is timely.

Board chairperson Andrew Turner said while exact type, tenure and funding of these future sites was still to be confirmed, it was working to bring the work forward “as quickly as possible”.

“Our ten-year vision is to set the standard for affordable housing,” he said.

Te Toi Mahana provides affordable housing to nearly 3000 tenants and manages about 1800 properties around the capital.

It marks the first announcement of new developments from the city’s largest residential landlord since taking over the tenancy management of the Wellington City Council’s social housing portfolio two years ago.

During the handover, Te Toi Mahana was gifted a $10 million land package and $23 million in cash from the council.

Chief executive Jonothan Manns said the market failed to deliver housing that met the full spectrum of need that existed.

“Everyone deserves somewhere to call home,” he said.

But Turner said the capital’s housing problem was real and “I don’t for one minute think that if we achieve that 500 home target over the next 10 years that will solve Wellingtons housing problem”.

The Government has only funded 50 new homes for Wellington City across the next two years through its IRRS scheme, which sets rent at 25% of the market value for tenants, with government top-ups for the remainder and enabling providers to recover costs on its rentals over time.

With Kāinga Ora’s Arlington development in Mt Cook set to provide 300 homes but now is paused, the announcement is significant.

Te Toi Mahana was allocated 380 IRRS tenancies when it was established, but no further funding has been allocated.

Turner said there would “no doubt” be changes in government policy regarding both housing and funding of housing across the next 10 years.

“We're very keen to be part of any conversations that might open up.”

Developments on Lyndhurst Rd in Tawa and Thatcher Cres in Crofton Downs are to start early next year.

Construction is expected to finish in 2027, with 59 new homes across the two sites.

The Tawa development includes 12 two-bedroom townhouses and 24 one-bedroom apartments. The Crofton Downs project includes 2 two-bedroom townhouses and 21 one-bedroom apartments.

It replaces 16 existing homes across the two sites.

Amenities include communal green spaces and planting beds as well as secure scooter and cycle parking with electric charging facilities. The sites were within walking distance to public transport and local amenities such as libraries, supermarkets and schools.

With social housing already on the site Te Toi Mahana is working with existing tenants to find alternative accommodation.