Whanau in Tai Tokerau and Tai Rawhiti will reap the benefit of a $2 million Government grant for better housing.
Housing Minister Phil Heatley and associate minister Tariana Turia have announced new allocations from the social housing fund, for Maori organisations in Kaitaia, Wairoa and Gisborne.
They've given $720,000 to Kaitaia's He Korowai Trust; $1 million to Kahungungu in Wairoa, and $300,000 to Ngati Porou in Gisborne.
He Korowai's manager Ricki Houghton says in Kaitaia the money will build homes on 50 acres the trust has bought on the outskirts of town.
He says the trust is creating a village, with gardens and orchards - and rules that ban alcohol drugs and violence, to create a safe home for young Maori families.
In Wairoa, the Kahungungu executive plans to build 10 homes and let them to families who are currently paying high rent for sub-standard houses.
And in the Gisborne region Te Runanga o Ngati Porou will build three units for kuia and kaumatua in need of healthy affordable housing.
