Housing project wins praise

The first homes in the innovative subdivision go on sale in October, 2025. Pictured are; Taupō District Council chief executive Julie Gardyne, Classic Builders owner Paul Taylor, Penny Homes owner John Penny, and the council’s general manager organisation and performance Sarah Matthews. Photo: Supplied

An affordable housing partnership between Taupō District Council, Penny Homes, Classic Builders and Tūwharetoa Settlement Trust has been recognised with a national award.

The council won the Morrison Low Advisory Award for Excellence in Collaborating for Results at the 2026 LGFA Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards.

The award was for an affordable housing project at East Urban Lands – Oroko Rise, a partnership between Taupō District Council, Penny Homes, Classic Builders and Tūwharetoa Settlement Trust.

The project is designed to embed affordability into a commercial development without relying on ratepayer subsidy.

Stage One included 38 affordable homes, with two-bedroom homes priced from $550,000 and three-bedroom homes from $650,000, well below the district's average house price.

The judges say the project is a response to a significant community challenge and its potential application elsewhere.

“Housing affordability is a public policy challenge that is not solely confined to the big cities,” the judges say.

“Oroko Rise has embedded a response to a pressing community need into a fully commercial development. This approach is both readily transferable and scalable. We look forward to hearing more as subsequent stages of this project progress.”