A Foundation for Community

The Hinemoa Housing Community in Levin is The Salvation Army’s newest social housing complex, which was opened with a ceremony on 12 December 2024. The units are not just a roof over people’s heads, they are a foundation from which to grow and thrive. Ben Mack reports.

Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Christopher Luxon attended the official opening, joined by MP for Ōtaki Tim Costley and Salvation Army leadership. Proceedings began with a pōwhiri (welcome ceremony) from Muaūpoko iwi and was followed by karakia (prayer) and speeches.

The opening followed completion of the final 26 units that were part of phase 2 of construction, with the first 26 units and community centre opening last February. The 52 fully furnished units are for individuals and families.

The housing complex was built and is owned by local developer and Salvation Army church members Wayne and Bridget Bishop. It was built on time and under budget, and is being leased by The Salvation Army for 15 years.

Creating a home

Tenants in the new community are from a variety of backgrounds, but all have come from the Ministry of Social Development’s Housing Register. Tenants were referred to The Salvation Army from social service providers and local iwi.

The Salvation Army‘s Territorial Commander Commissioner Mark Campbell said in his speech that the community is meant to be a place where people and their whānau (families) can live their best lives.

‘We want people to flourish. That would be our prayer.’ His korero was a preview of things to come.

‘It’s not just housing we’re building here, we’re building community,’ the Prime Minister said during his speech. ‘We want people to flourish.’

The Prime Minister also spoke of the opportunities of working with charities like The Salvation Army stating, ‘I know the hard work The Salvation Army does’.

The Prime Minister acknowledged the housing crisis in New Zealand and said, ‘We’re the size of Great Britain or Japan,

but don’t have good housing supply. New Zealand takes 19 months to build a three-bed house, at 50 percent more cost than Australia.

‘If you can’t own a house, you rent. If you can’t rent, you’re in emergency housing. If you can’t get into emergency housing, you’re homeless,’ he said.

Collaborating for community

Salvation Army Territorial Director of Social Housing and Property Greg Foster said working collaboratively with government and private business can help create better housing outcomes across Aotearoa.

‘The common thing that’s linked us together is people wanting to give people a home,’ he said.

There’s a high need for housing across the motu (land), including in the regions. There were 21,957 applicants on the Housing Register nationwide in September 2024. Of those, 10,443 were Māori—the highest of any group. Many Hinemoa Housing Community residents are Māori, though many ethnic groups are represented. In the Horowhenua District where Levin is located, the 186 people on the Housing Register in September 2024 is a nearly 60 percent increase on the number of people on the Housing Register in the district pre- pandemic (108 in September 2019).

But Greg is hopeful for a brighter future—a future The Salvation Army, government and others can help bring about with developments like the Hinemoa Housing Community.

‘For the whānau that are here, what a great foundation for going forward. Some of you have already created a wonderful home here,’ Greg said.

Salvation Army National Tenancy Operations Manager Jasmine Herewini elaborated on just what a great foundation can mean for residents, their whānau and their pēpi (babies).

‘This place is for our babies—because we want them to be our next prime ministers, doctors and lawyers.’

Greeting the tenants

After the speeches, Levin church leader Captain Ben Schischka blessed a shared lunch provided at the community centre, which residents and visitors enjoyed. This was followed by tours of some of the new units.

The Prime Minister chatted with residents—including Poppops, a feathery white cockatiel who (according to owner Megan Cleverly) is still learning to talk. But Megan was happy sharing how thankful she and her bird are to have

a warm, dry, safe home.

Another tenant, John Logologo, invited the Prime Minister into the home he shares with his children to proudly show off the unit.

A common comment from visitors at the opening was the positive energy and how residents seemed genuinely happy to have stable and safe housing.

‘We just want people in houses,’ said the Prime Minister. ‘I know it’s been a tough time in recent years. But this is a great country, and we can work together.’

Commenting on the complex, the Prime Minister said, ‘This is a fantastic place. We say to residents here, “welcome home”.’