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Registrations Now Open *

Welcome to Elwood Road Papakāinga

Elwood Road Papakāinga is a living expression of whakapapa, whānau and whenua.
Located on ancestral land in Heretaunga, on the corner of Elwood Road and State Highway 51, this kāinga is more than just a housing development—it’s a foundation for whānau to stand strong, plan ahead and thrive.

Proudly owned by the Whenuakura Whānau Trust, developed by Tōhaunui Limited and supported with funding from Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated, this papakāinga is a collaborative kaupapa that brings together iwi, whenua and whānau for a better future.

Our Vision – A Pathway to Whānau Independence

The vision for Elwood Road Papakāinga is grounded in the belief that safe, secure, and affordable housing is a stepping stone to long-term wellbeing.

This papakāinga offers whānau:

  • Warm, dry, solar-powered homes, built to Healthy Homes standards

  • Affordable rental rates to help reduce financial pressure

  • Low energy bills, supported by solar technology and efficient design

  • Access to māra kai, encouraging food sovereignty, health and whanaungatanga

  • A five-year supported rental pathway, allowing whānau to save and plan for home ownership or long-term housing

Elwood Road Papakāinga is not a final destination—it’s a launchpad. A place where whānau can reset, grow and move forward with confidence and support.

Aerial view of a grassy field with varying shades of green, patches of bare soil, and some bushes or shrubs. A small blue tractor and a pathway are visible at the bottom left corner.

Whakapapa of the Whenua

The whenua that Elwood Road Papakāinga stands on is more than a location—it is a legacy, held and passed down through generations.

This land was originally held by Whenuakura Nikera and Aorangi Nikera, whose son, Dawson Nikera, would become a key kaitiaki of the whenua. In honour of his whakapapa and deep connection to the land, Dawson ensured it remained within the whānau by leaving it to his great-nephew, Dawson Tuki.

In turn, Dawson Tuki established the Whenuakura Whānau Trust to protect the whenua and create lasting opportunities for whānau to return home.

He Tangata – Honouring Dawson Tahana Nikera
(23 January 1923 – 2 June 1993)

At the heart of Elwood Road Papakāinga is the legacy of a quiet, generous man—Dawson Tahana Nikera.

Born to Aorangi and Whenuakura Nikera, Dawson lived a life of humility, hard work and deep connection to the land. He was a man who mostly kept to himself, but those who knew him held deep respect for his strength, integrity and quiet presence. Though he had no children of his own, his aroha for whānau and whenua ran deep.

Dawson was a true kaitiaki. He loved the land—worked its soil, tended his gardens and saw the whenua not just as property, but as a living taonga, carrying the stories, identity, and future of his people.

Before his passing, he entrusted this whenua to his great-nephew and namesake, Dawson Tuki, ensuring that it would remain with whānau—protected, cared for and lived on.

Though he left us in 1993, his spirit remains. His legacy is felt in every home, every seed planted, and every dream nurtured at Elwood Road Papakāinga.

Moe mai rā e Koro.
Your vision lives on. Your legacy is our foundation.

Elderly man smiling and holding a young child, who is wearing a white shirt with red stripes and a black tie. The background features a white brick wall.

Pictured: Dawson Nikera & Dawson Tuki 1992

Progress So Far

The papakāinga is already taking shape, with major milestones achieved:

  • ✅ All infrastructure complete

  • 🏡 14 homes framed and standing

  • 🌱 Māra kai development underway

Each whare is designed to support intergenerational living, sustainability and cultural wellbeing, creating a truly connected community.

Our Shared Future

Elwood Road Papakāinga is more than bricks and mortar—it’s a return to whenua, to whakapapa and to whānau. It’s about creating a place where tamariki can grow up knowing where they come from, where kaumātua are respected and cared for and where the dreams of our tūpuna are honoured through action.

Together, we are building homes.
Together, we are building futures.

Aerial view of a construction site with several excavated areas, piles of dirt, and construction vehicles, surrounded by greenery and roads.
Aerial view of a construction site for residential buildings, featuring multiple houses in various stages of construction with wooden frames and blue tarps. The site is surrounded by roads and fields, with nearby residential areas and trees.
Aerial view of a grassy field with a road intersection and cars. The field has patches of brown soil and green grass. Trees and a fenced area are visible in the background.
Aerial view of a large green field with tire tracks leading to an excavator near a road, surrounded by residential houses and trees.
Aerial view of an open grassy field with some patches of bare ground and a few scattered bushes. A small vehicle is visible near the bottom left corner, next to a road. The field is bordered by trees and has visible lines indicating prior vehicle tra
A construction site with multiple outlined building foundations, surrounded by dirt and construction equipment. Several vehicles are parked around the site. In the background, there are trees, a road, and distant hills under a clear blue sky.
A construction site with multiple concrete foundations, surrounded by dirt and orange safety barriers. Several vehicles are parked nearby, and trees and fields are in the background under a clear blue sky.
Aerial view of a construction site with several rectangular concrete foundations, surrounded by dirt and grass, adjacent to a road with a car and a fence line.
Aerial view of a construction site with excavated foundations, large dirt mounds, and several vehicles, including a truck and an excavator. The area is surrounded by greenery and nearby residential and industrial developments.
Aerial view of a construction site with marked plots and construction vehicles, surrounded by green fields and a nearby residential area.
Aerial view of a construction site with several concrete foundations, surrounded by vehicles, workers in orange uniforms, and green fields in the background.
Construction site with vehicles, workers, and materials; fenced areas, groundwork preparation, and grassy surroundings.
Aerial view of a construction site with workers, vehicles, and building materials. The site includes multiple sections with black grids and an open area surrounded by fencing. Trucks and construction equipment are present. Trees and an open landscape
Aerial view of a construction site with multiple buildings under construction, surrounded by roads and greenery.
Aerial view of a residential construction site with multiple buildings in various stages of development, surrounded by fields and roads.
Aerial view of a suburban construction site with multiple houses being built, surrounded by fields and countryside.
Aerial view of a construction site with several partially built houses, surrounded by fields and trees. The structures have visible frameworks and some finished roofs, suggesting new residential development. Vehicles are parked along a dirt road adja
Aerial view of a construction site with several buildings in progress, surrounded by trees and green fields.
Aerial view of a construction site with several buildings in progress, surrounded by rural landscape and green fields.