18 Jan 2021

New housing development under way in Queenstown

5:51 pm on 18 January 2021

Construction has begun on a Queenstown housing development that will hold more than 300 new homes.

The frame of a new house under construction, with a blue sky behind it (file)

Photo: 123RF

Ngāi Tahu Property is developing the four hectare site on Gorge Road for Kiwibuild and the Land for Housing Programme after the crown land was first approved for purchase in October 2018.

Downer has been appointed to carry out work on Te Pā Tāhuna development over several stages.

Ngāi Tahu Property general manager Blair Forgie said the development would include more than 105 Kiwibuild homes and support commercial spaces on the former site of the Wakatipu High School.

"The programme requires the install of the infrastructure on the site, getting it ready for when we start building. Downer are proven specialists in these types of projects, and we look forward to seeing the progress over coming months," Forgie said.

"We remain in the design stages of Te Pā Tāhuna and the Ngāi Tahu Property team is placing a lot of emphasis on delivering warm and comfortable homes.

"The majority of these will be apartments alongside some terraced homes, which will form the backbone of a modern, master-planned community. These will be across various price points, and a mix of housing types, providing KiwiBuild and market homes."

The first homes are expected to be ready by 2022.

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