Whānau Whata

We know that with a strong demand for housing and people working from home, some of our whānau have opted to put a whata on their rental properties or homes managed by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. To ensure our whānau are safe, we've introduced a new policy based on Auckland Council regulations.

What is considered a whata?
When we refer to whata, we are talking about a structure that does not require a building consent, also known as an “exempt structure”. Regardless of whether a building consent is required, structures must still comply with the Building Code and other relevant legislation. It ensures that the structure is safe, durable and doesn't endanger the health and safety of anyone using it.

Applying to put a whata up

Before a whata is put up on a property managed by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, you must:

  1. Complete the online application form or download an application form (pdf) and email it to whairawamaintenance@ngatiwhatuaorakei.com.
  2. Show that the whata will be located in a position so that the distance between the whata and any existing structure on the land (such as the main whare, garage, tool shed) and each boundary of the land is equal to or greater than the height of the whata. (See left)
  3. Provide info that shows the whata meets structural requirements. (See below)

Structural Requirements

Single-storey whata not exceeding 10 meters squared in floor area.

  • Is not more than 1 storey high (being a height of up to 3.5 meters above the ground floor level); and
  • Does not exceed 10 meters square in floor area; and
  • Does not contain sanitary facilities or facilities for the storage of potable water; and
  • Does not include sleeping accommodation unless the structure is used in connection with the main whare and does not contain any cooking facilities.
  • If it includes sleeping accommodation, has smoke alarms installed

Single-Storey whata that has a floor area of more than 10 meters squared but less than 20 meters squared and is constructed of light weight material.

  • Is not more than 1 storey high (being a height of up to 3.5 meters above the ground floor level); and
  • Exceeds 10 meters squared but is less than 20 meters squared in floor area; and
  • Is built using lightweight wall and roof materials and is constructed in accordance with the building performance standards known as “Acceptable Solutions B1/AS1”; and
  • Does not contain sanitary facilities or facilities for the storage of potable water; and
  • Does not include sleeping accommodation unless the building is used in connection with the main whare and does not contain any cooking facilities; or
  • If it includes sleeping accommodation, has smoke alarms installed.

Safety review
Once you have received permission and erected your whata, you must provide confirmation from an independent building consultant (approved by Whai Rawa) that the structure complies with all regulatory requirements.

You must also undertake an annual review of the condition of the whata from an independent building consultant and complete any work that they recommend.

Insurance
You must have insurance for your whata that includes third party liability cover. If in the unlikely event, the whata causes damage to the main whare or neighbouring properties, costs to repair and/or replace will be covered.

Naming entities on insurance

  • If you are renting a whare from Whai Māia you need to name Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Māia on the insurance.
  • If you are living in upper Kitemoana St, Reihana and Watene Streets you need to name Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Rawa on the insurance.
  • If you are living in lower Kitemoana St and Ngā Oho St and/or have a License to Occupy you need to name Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust on the insurance.

If you need assistance with getting insurance, please let us know and we can put you in touch with an insurance broker to ensure you get the correct cover.

Having more than one whata
Our policy only allows for one whata per property. However, you may apply in writing to Whai Rawa if you require more than one whata.

Non-compliance
If your whata becomes non-compliant (with regards to our policy or regulatory requirements) at any time, then Whai Rawa will give you a reasonable amount of time to either bring the whata up to standard or remove the whata. If the whata is not removed within the set time, then Whai Rawa will remove at the cost of the whānau.

Responsibility

The whata is your responsibility and you will need to cover the cost of maintenance and repair. You must sign an acknowledgement that Whai Rawa does not own the whata and is therefore not liable to maintain or repair the whata. You must also acknowledge that no rent is payable to a Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei entity for the whata.

FAQ

The rules (particularly regarding the distance between structures) are based on health and safety considerations. The prescribed distances between a temporary structure and a permanent structure are set to significantly reduce the likelihood of fire in one structure spreading to the other. The cabin owner/seller should know to place it in the right place as these rules are set out in the Council regulations.

If you're renting the whata, it's just a matter of ringing the person that hired the cabin to you and ask the cabin owner to relocate as currently the location is a health and safety issue.

If you own the whata outright, you will need to use the same method for installing it to relocate it.

You will need to provide a copy of the insurance certificate. It must include third party liability and must list Whai Rawa as an interested party.

If you own the whata then it's a good idea to insure it to cover the cost of replacement. In addition, we require you to have third party liability so that if something was to occur that damages the main whare, you are covered.

It's similar to a car's WOF. It's to ensure that the whata is safe to live in and structurally sound.

Cultural

Whenua Rangatira

Whenua Rangatira is very significant whenua to our hapū and encompasses Takaparawhau (Bastion Point) and Ōrākei Domain (Okahu Bay).

Takaparawhau boasts panoramic views of the Waitematā Harbour out to Rangitoto, the city of Tāmaki and Ōrākei Papakāinga. It is the backdrop of one of the many poignant moments in our history, the Bastion Point occupation. Protestors remained on the land for 506 days, resulting in their forceful removal off the land but ultimately made way for the eventual return of Crown land to hapu all over Aotearoa.

Today, it is a reserve maintained by the hapu for all to enjoy and is protected from sale by the 2012 Treaty Settlement Act.

Read about our Ecological Restoration Project here

The heartbeat of our people

Ōrākei Marae

Ko Tumutumuwhenua te Whare tupuna
Ko Te Puru o Tāmaki te Wharekai
Ko Ōrākei te Marae

Ōrakei marae is the heartbeat and cultural hub for c.

Orākei Marae is a living, breathing part of the Ngāti Whātua people. Tumutumuwhenua, the ancestor the house represents has connections to all the major tribes throughout Aotearoa and is the cultural landmark for those that whakapapa to Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.

The marae is made up of two integral parts: Tumutumuwhenua, the Whare tupuna or meeting house; and Te Puru o Tāmaki, the Wharekai or dining house. 

Claimed and protected from sale as part of the Treaty Claims Settlement Act of 2012, the marae is used for many reasons, from welcoming world-class athletes to farewelling loved ones. We make sure the marae is used as our ancestors intended it to be used centuries ago.

Cultural

Pourewa

Pourewa was named after the wooden platform that was once erected as a lookout point for the Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Papakāinga settlement.

It was used by Te Taoū, Te Uringutu and Ngāoho hapu (sub-tribes) of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei for food production.

For years it was used as a local pony club but was returned as part of the Treaty Claims Settlement Act of 2012. A range of future activities are proposed to improve environmental, cultural, economic, and recreation outcomes for mana whenua and the people of Tāmaki Makaurau.

Ka rewa te pou, ka rewa te kōrero

Click here to find out more about Pourewa

Papakāinga

Papa kāinga housing

Housing within the papa kāinga is made up of both rentals and homes that whānau own and have built on hapū land.

We have purchased 102 homes from Kāinga Ora (formerly Housing NZ) along Kupe St, Takitimu St, Te Arawa St and Rukutai St, and we are working with them to purchase a further 55 properties along Kupe Street. Acquiring the properties will help fulfil our hopes of having more whānau living on the papa kāinga and ensure that Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei continues to extend its footprint in Orākei.

We are currently building 24 whare for our whānau to purchase.

Click here to find out more about our whānau housing.

 

 

Commercial - 1.7ha

Eastcliffe Retirement Village

Eastcliffe Retirement Village sits on the South Eastern boundary of the Whenua Rangatira with extensive views of the Waitematā harbour.

It is protected from sale as part of the 2012 Treaty Settlement Act.

The main building on Kupe Street boasts housing care facilities, lounges, swimming pool and 55 serviced apartments, 30 studio units and 10 hospital beds.

Visit the Eastcliffe Retirement Village site for more information.

Commercial - 3.1ha

Kohimarama Road

This property sits beside Selwyn College. We purchased the land from the Crown during the Treaty Negotiation process in 2006.

We leased the land on a pre-paid basis (rather than an ongoing annual rental) to raise the funds to be able to purchase the land outright and to support the Trust’s ongoing operations.

Ryman Healthcare has since purchased the lease and has announced plans to build a new retirement village.

Commercial - 4.4ha

Carrington Road

The property comprises of four parcels of land within the UNITEC complex.

One of the blocks has been leased for 100 years where 45 apartments have been developed.

Part of a block has been leased to UNITEC for carparking and the remaining sites are vacant.

Commercial - 20ha

Te Tōangaroa

Te Tōangaroa, is a significant landholding for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei and its commercial portfolio.

Not only does it help to re-establish our presence in the CBD, it provides important income from its annual rent to be able to reinvest in to our hapū.

In 1996, we purchased the ex-Railway Lands from the Crown and on sold the leasehold interest to a developer based on a 15-year prepayment. The prepayment agreement allowed us to raise the price of the land.

We have a Masterplan for this whenua, a vision that protects and grows the asset and celebrates the heritage of Te Tōangaroa.

Click here to find out more about Te Tōangaroa

Commercial - 0.2ha

Fanshawe Street

The opportunity arose to purchase this central city property, fondly known to Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei as the old Māori Community Centre, to add to our commercial portfolio.

We bought the land in 2004 and signed a 150-year lease agreement that was prepaid until August 2019.

This asset will provide an additional stream of revenue to reinvest in to the hapū.

Commercial - 3.2ha

Narrowneck

A near level ‘semi coastal’ exceptionally desirable holding. The property adjoins a coastal reserve and is in close proximity to Narrowneck Beach with attractive views of the Rangitoto Channel.

The land was bought as part of the Waitangi Treaty Settlement. 

Commercial - 4.25ha

Wakakura

Wakakura is in the suburb of Narrowneck on the North Shore and looks south across Ngataringa Bay toward Ngataringa Park.

The land is on a long-term lease to Ryman Healthcare for the William Sanders Retirement Village.

Commercial - 7.1ha

Plymouth

Plymouth block is situated in the suburb of Bayswater, North Shore.

Plymouth block had the most properties of the North Shore lands and is the second largest inland area. It was bought as part of the Treaty Settlement Act

Plymouth looks south over Ngataringa Bay and is close to public amenities including public transport routes, an Early Childhood Centre, Bayswater Bowling Club and Bayswater Park.

Commercial - 1.0ha

Beresford

The Beresford block is the smallest of the seven blocks owned by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. Situated in the suburb of Bayswater North Shore, this is a north-west facing block on the Beresford St cul-de-sac. Parcels of the Beresford block back on to the Sandy Bay Reserve with undisturbed views across Shoal Bay. 

Commercial - 7.3ha

Wai o Roka

Wai o Roka is the largest land area of the seven blocks on the North Shore. Situated in Belmont, Wai o Roka has extensive views looking directly across Shoal Bay to Marsden block.

The land was purchased as part of the 2012 Treaty Settlement Act.

We have built 42 homes in our Oneoneroa development, a thriving and vibrant community. To receive regular updates including houses for sale visit oneoneroa.co.nz

Commercial - 1.9ha

Birchfield

The Birchfield block is situated in the suburb of Hauraki, North Shore.

Birchfield has parcels that back on to a part of water at Shoal Bay and is directly opposite Hillary block and one block away from Marsden block.

Commercial - 4.1ha

Marsden

Marsden block is situated in the suburb of Hauraki, North Shore. The entire Marsden block is surrounded by water of Shoal Bay.

It has extensive views looking directly across to Hillary block.

The locality is well regarded and established suburban residential in nature, with the development entity featuring a strong coastal influence.

The land was bought as part of the Treaty Settlement Act.

Kāinga Tuatahi

Kāinga Tuatahi is an innovative residential development on Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei tribal land. It is the first stage of housing purely for Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei hapu, allowing our whanaunga the chance to live on the whenua that their ancestors lived on.

The two streets, Kirihipina Lane and Te Arohanui Way, allow communities to be re-formed and for the reconnection of the tangatawhenua.

Read more here

Kāinga Kaumātua

Kāinga Kaumātua is our newest papakāinga housing development co-designed by kaumātua for kaumātua.

10 brand new, warm, healthy and low maintenance homes have been built especially for our kaumātua.

Read more about the project here.

Commercial - 1.1ha

246 Ōrākei Road

This is a 11,000 square metre landholding located right next to the Ōrākei Train Station. It’s currently vacant land but there is great development potential.

We have engaged Colliers to seek expressions of interest from potential buyers to purchase a prepaid long-term lease.

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