About | Te Pouahi

Te Pouahi o Te Taitokerau

Te Pouahi o Te Taitokerau is named in acknowledgement of our tupuna Kupe, who was guided into the Hokianga Harbour by the glow of the light reflected from the maunga Te Ramaroa, where the early settlement of Te Pouahi was established in the harbour.

Te Pouahi reflects the warmth and security that comes from our Kāinga and the smoke which rises into the heavens as a beacon of occupation and ahikā. The use of colours in our Te Pouahi logo represent the flame of the ahi and the warmth therin, ngā maunga, me ngā pukepuke rau (the many mountains and hills) of Te Taitokerau are actively reflected in our logo to represent our whānau, hapū, iwi and kāinga across the region.

Te Pouahi provides an enduring reminder of our heritage, and our connection to place, home and the right our people have to live in warm, healthy, well-constructed homes according to our own tikangā.

Te Pouahi o Te Taitokerau Trust is a kaupapa-Māori housing initiative first instigated in 2019 and designed for Te Taitokerau Māori by Te Taitokerau Māori.

Our Board, our partners and our team are passionate about creating sustainable housing outcomes for current and future generations of Māori.

Our drive is to empower Māori homeownership, while identifying and providing an effective and efficient pathway to progressive home ownership. This happens by developing a sustainable financial model where loan repayments fund future housing projects, ensuring a continuous cycle of investment and construction.

By providing end to end services to streamline the whānau housing journey, together we will become the leading provider for whānau that navigates the complex housing landscape of Te Taitokerau, while also reducing building costs for kāinga projects through collaboration with local stakeholders.

We will lower construction costs and improve housing affordability by influencing the local supply chain, fostering partnerships with builders and suppliers, and encouraging innovative, cost-effective building practices and to provide economic stimulus to Māori suppliers.

Te Pouahi o Te Taitokerau Trust presented our Strategic Intent to Government Ministers at Waitangi on 11 March 2022, that included our values - Ngā Tikanga, of which guide our mahi and supporting our whānau to sucessfully realise their housing aspirations.