New homes likely for former social housing land

Tuesday, 9 December 2025

The site in 2012, right, and now. The vacant Christchurch land for sale held social housing which was demolished following the earthquakes.

Land in a Christchurch cul-de-sac which once contained 20 Kāinga Ora homes is for sale, and likely to be developed for new housing.

The land - on Sorensens Pl and Glade Ave in the suburb of Richmond - was previously occupied by six double-storey buildings which were damaged in the earthquakes and demolished.

It is now under contract to a private housing developer.

The land for sale on Sorensens Pl and Glade Ave in Richmond, Christchurch, is under contract to a housing developer.

Five years ago Kāinga Ora built new social housing on one corner of the site. The remainder now being sold has been vacant for 12 years.

The land covers 8550m2 and is in 10 titles. It borders the red zone, and is zoned for medium density housing.

The price is negotiable. It has a 2022 rating valuation of about $4.2 million.

Social housing on Sorensens Pl, Richmond, Christchurch in 2012. It has now been demolished and the land is being sold.

A spokesperson for Kāinga Ora said they regularly assess whether their land is fit for purpose as housing needs change, and the Richmond land is surplus to requirements.

“As part of our reset, we've reviewed our vacant land holdings this year and have begun selling off land that is no longer needed for either new social housing projects or for urban development work.”

The land is grassed and has mature trees.

Commercial real estate firm Colliers, which is marketing the block for Kāinga Ora, says it is “a rare opportunity to acquire a significant development site” in an established suburb.

The land could be developed in stages, it says.

Director of investment sales, Courtney Doig, said because there is a contract on the property, she is unable to identify the would-be buyer or comment on the sale or the value of the land.

In other parts of Christchurch, Kāinga Ora is either building or about to start construction of new social housing in Shirley,Hei Hei, Spreydon, Bryndwr and Upper Riccarton.

In the planning and design or consenting stages are homes in Bryndwr, Bishopdale, Dallington,Mairehau, Bryndwr,Hei Hei,Riccarton,Woolston, New Brighton, and Shirley.

Land owned by Kāinga Ora in several suburbs is being assessed for future development, and a 3.68ha block in Quaifes Rs, Halswell, will be sold. Kāinga Ora bought that land for a mix of private and public housing developments from the city council for $6.5 million in 2023, under the previous Government’s land purchase programme.

In June Kāinga Ora said a total of 212 housing projects being considered nationally were found to not meet financial requirements or not be in suitable locations.