$100m apartment complex coming to Manukau – but you’ll have to be 55 to get in

A new $100 million apartment complex is coming to the heart of Manukau – but you’ll have to be at least 55 years old to get in.

Kāinga Ora expected to start construction of the 123 apartments in Osterley Way in March.

The 16-story tower is planned to include 94 one-bedroom and 29 two-bedroom apartments.

Targeting specific age groups was necessary to match an increasing demand from “older customers”, the government said.

Kāinga Ora regional director Angela Pearce said the development would cater to the needs of these age groups specifically.

“Kāinga Ora recognises our older customers have specific housing needs, which we are addressing through senior housing developments such as the proposed project in Manukau,” Pearce said.

One in five of the agency’s homes in Counties-Manukau had someone over 65 years old living in it, while 670 of its homes in the area were occupied by sole tenants in the same age group.

“With an ageing population, Kāinga Ora recognises the importance of dedicated senior housing where our older tenants can live well, feel safe and secure, both in their homes and the community,” Pearce said.

Maureen O’Meara, 75, spent two years on the state house waiting list and was renting a two-bedroom unit in Pakuranga for $420 a week until earlier this year.

Maureen O’Meara understands first hand the need for more housing for people over 55 after spending two years on the state house waiting list.
Photo: Supplied/ Local Democracy Reporting

“I had $17 left a week after paying the rent,” O’Meara said.

“Being on a pension and paying market rent meant I didn’t have a lot of money left to live on.”

O’Meara managed to find somewhere more affordable in May after she was put in touch with Haumaru Housing, a joint venture between Auckland Council and the Selwyn Foundation.

But O’Meara said the Manukau development reflected an increasing number of people reaching retirement without a home.

“And I think there’s going to be a need for more places like it,” she said.

Auckland Council development agency Eke Panuku agreed to sell the 1,753sqm site to Kāinga Ora where it will build the apartments. It is currently home to a car park adjoining Westfield Manukau City.
Photo: Supplied/ Local Democracy Reporting – Stuff/ Stephen Forbes

Age Concern Auckland chief executive Kevin Lamb said it was important the development be close to public transport and community facilities.

“We think it’s high time older people had accommodation that is new and more appropriate for their needs.”

Recently-released research by Te Ara Ahunga Ora Retirement Commission showed superannuitants still paying rent were more likely to be spending 40 percent or more of their pension on housing.

While long-term trends suggest more older New Zealanders are likely to still be renting in their retirement.

Te Ara Ahunga Ora director of policy Dr Suzy Morrissey said with declining home ownership rates there was a growing need for public housing and accommodation for those aged 55 and over.

“When NZ Super was introduced it was with the underlying assumption that those accessing it would be mortgage-free homeowners,” she said.

“Today, the reality is very different. There are declining home ownership rates, more people needing to continue working longer because they still have mortgages to pay, are paying rent, or haven’t been able to save enough to retire.”

Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air