A move by the Government to unlock tribal land for housing
has been welcomed, but housing development could still be
years away in the South.
Housing Minister Phil Heatley announced yesterday Maori
wanting to build or buy a home on ancestral land would be
able to get a $200,000 loan, with no deposit, from Kiwibank.
"It is difficult for Maori to own a home on multiple-owned
Maori land," Mr Heatley said.
"The special nature of Maori land means it cannot be sold,
which means banks are unable to meet their standard
requirements for mortgage security."
Loan levels in more expensive areas, such as Queenstown, may
be negotiated up to $350,000.
Under the Kainga Whenua scheme, the Crown would act as a
guarantor for qualifying home loans, Kiwibank is the sole
lender and Housing New Zealand would insure the loan.
Mr Heatley conceded demand for the scheme might be modest, as
building on multiple-owned Maori land was a long and
complicated process.
Ngai Tahu Maori Law Centre barrister Desiree Mahy, of
Dunedin, said the move was a positive one from the
Government, but development could take years.
Land with multiple ownership was difficult to built on but
"Maori land was even more difficult", she said.
"It can take years."
At present, the community law centre dealt with 10 inquiries
about Maori land each week, and this was expected to increase
as a result of the announcement.
It was common for hundreds of descendants to have rights to
ancestral land, and people wanting to build on that land
would be required to have permission from those other owners,
and then apply to the Maori Land Court, she said.
Less than 5% of land in Otago was tribal land, with much of
that land on the Otago Peninsula, Purakaunui, Moeraki,
Karitane and Taieri.
Perpetual Trust Ltd client relationship manager Martin
Haanen, who acts as administrator for the Te Rauone board
which has more 50 leasehold sections in Harington Point Rd,
also welcomed the initiative.
"This will appeal particularly to those close Maori families,
where they can all support each other in providing a family
home on their ancestral lands.
"The Kainga Whenua initiative will be a valuable tool in
helping Maori get back, not only get in touch with their
land, but get back on their land."
University of Otago Te Tumu School of Maori, Pacific, and
Indigenous Studies lecturer Paerau Warbrick said the
Government needed to be congratulated on the scheme as it
would "enable whanau to build on their multiply-owned
traditional lands".
Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia said the package would
ensure affordable Maori housing.
"We know that most Maori have a strong desire to own their
own homes, but barriers such as low incomes, poor access to
finance or inconsistent and unco-ordinated policy responses
have not aligned with Maori housing aspirations," she said.
- hamish.mcneilly@odt.co.nz
The scheme
- A house needs to be built on wooden piles.
- One storey of at least 70sq m.
- Located on mainland North or South Islands.
- Have reasonable road access.
- Have to live in the house full-time.
- Be a first home buyer, and provide proof of income (under
$85,000 a year).
- Have a licence to occupy the land on which you wish to
build.
Source: Housing New Zealand
