Far North iwi Te Rarawa has won consent to build an ambitious cluster housing development at Ahipara.
Runanga chairperson Haami Piripi says the tribe wants to create an environment suitable for whanau who want to live in a communal setting and share child raising responsibilities.
He told Waatea News the project, part-funded by Housing New Zealand's housing innovation scheme, will be built on general land so the iwi can identify any obstacles before it builds similar pa kainga on multiple-owned Maori land.
"It's a much easier way of living together," Mr Piripi says. "All it requires is for people to commit themselves to each other as a whanau and to each other's children.
"The main kaupapa of this pa kainga is child safety, creating a sanctuary for families in which children can reach their potential."
Mr Piripi says the iwi is in the process of acquiring the site and has gained resource consent despite objections from local non-Maori residents. Building is due to begin in summer.
