Housing and Infrastructure Minister Megan Woods
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

The government has confirmed $10.3 million from its infrastructure fund will be spent in Northland, including on buying greenfields land and transport upgrades like a new bridge in Kamo.

Housing and Infrastructure Minister Megan Woods confirmed the Infrastructure Acceleration Fund spending.

She said it would allow about 160 hectares of greenfields land to be freed up, allowing for 3000 new homes across Whangārei with the first 1000 to be built within 15 years.

Transport projects would include a new bridge in Kamo to replace a single-lane timber one, and a new roundabout in Springs Flat on State Highway 1 with an arterial road and shared path.

The government has also bought a more than three hectare site in Kerikeri for 56 new homes to be completed by early 2025, with about a third to be public or “affordable” housing.

Woods made the announcement at the Kerikeri site, which was also being blessed today.

It comes amid Waitangi commemorations, with Prime Minister Chris Hipkins attending the Iwi Chairs Forum this morning.

Chris Hipkins and other ministers are greeted at the Iwi Chairs Forum.
Photo: RNZ / Jane Patterson

Woods also announced Northland would be eligible for a second round of the Affordable Renting Pathway, offering $100m for affordable rental housing built by non-profit organisations.

“This funding boost recognises the urgent need for more affordable, long-term rentals for people who can’t meet the cost of a market rent but can’t access, or don’t need, public housing,” she said.