Auckland, 13 June 2025: A Whangārei public housing project has won the Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities Community and Affordable Housing Property Award tonight at Aotearoa New Zealand’s most prestigious property awards programme, the Property Council New Zealand Rider Levett Bucknall Property Industry Awards.
Named after Warren Jack, former Director of Habitat for Humanity Northern, the site commemorates Jack’s invaluable contributions to his community.
Warren Place delivers affordable, stable rental homes for individuals and families facing housing affordability challenges.
Made possible through design and construction by G J Gardner Whangārei and Ministry of Architecture + Interiors, Warren Place offers a port in the storm for those needing somewhere to call home.
According to the 2024 census there were more than 1200 families waiting for community housing in Northland, and the number has been increasing steadily since 2021. Severe housing deprivation, paired with low household income rates, inflation, and a higher than national rate of unemployment has led to a dire need for community support in the region.
Warren Place is part of a bigger initiative by Kāinga Ora, who are on the road to building 400 homes in central Whangārei, Ruakākā, Kaitāia, Kāeo, Kaikohe, Kerikeri, and Dargaville to ensure families are close to employment hubs and social services.
“Housing is far more than bricks and mortar; it’s the foundation for stability, dignity, and opportunity. Warren Place demonstrates how affordable homes can act as catalysts for social wellbeing, empowering families to not only survive but to flourish within a nurturing community,” said Leonie Freeman, chief executive, Property Council New Zealand.
Built on a brand new road sharing the site name, Warren Place marks a significant step forward in creating sustainable and connected living spaces for local families. Spanning 2,777m², the development includes 22 thoughtfully designed homes alongside a shared community hub.
The hub features a children’s nature play area, outdoor seating, bike racks, and parking, all arranged around a communal garden. This space not only encourages residents to cultivate their own food but also fosters a shared stewardship, promoting collective responsibility for the care and maintenance of the land and property.
Strategically located near public transport routes, Horahora Primary School, and Whangārei Hospital, the project ensures easy access to essential services and promotes a strong sense of community. Designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding neighbourhood, the homes feature simple gable roofs, varied cladding materials, and timber detailing that add warmth and character.
“A truly successful community isn’t just about where people live, but how they live together. By integrating shared spaces, natural environments, and vital connections to education and services, Warren Place fosters a genuine sense of belonging — the kind of pride that transforms a neighbourhood into a home,” said Freeman.
Notably, this is Whangārei’s first housing development to incorporate solar panels, reflecting a commitment to sustainable living and reducing the community’s environmental footprint. Funded by Government grants, this innovative approach not only supports energy efficiency by reducing power bills by 50%, but also fosters a forward thinking, community focused lifestyle for residents, setting a new standard for social housing in the region.
“Sustainability in housing is about safeguarding the future, not only environmentally but socially. Warren Place shows how adopting green technologies and design creates spaces where people feel invested in each other and the planet, laying the groundwork for flourishing communities that endure across generations,” said Freeman.
As a registered Community Housing Provider, Habitat for Humanity operates as a social landlord, allocating warm, dry, and secure homes based on need.
Warren Place is part of Habitat for Humanity’s broader role in public housing programmes, aimed at increasing access to decent housing through work with government agencies, councils, and private developers.
Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities Community and Affordable Housing Property Award
Best in Category: Warren Place
- Address: 2-46 Warren Place, Woodhill, Whangārei
- Owner/developer: Habitat for Humanity Northern Region
- Construction: G J Gardner Whangārei
- Architect: Ministry of Architecture + Interiors
- Civils engineer: Chester Engineering
- Urban designer: Mein Urban Design and Planning
- Planning: Campbell Brown Planning
- Quantity surveyor: Barnes Beagley Doherr
- Project manager: Scope
- Landscape architect: Surround Landscape Architects
- Other consultants: Maxco Project Management, Robinson Asphalts
OTHER WINNERS IN THIS CATEGORY INCLUDED:
Excellence:
- Hawaiki Papa Kāinga, Auckland
- Te Kupenga, Auckland
Merit:
- 91 Cambridge Terrace, Papatoetoe, Auckland
- Carey Street, Christchurch
- Great North Road Apartment Development, Auckland
- Kaimai Terraces, Tauranga
- May Road, Auckland
- Te Māra, Auckland
ENDS