Te Whare Hangahanga Tapui Limited - Grass Roots application of Research, Advocacy, and Capability

A small Wairarapa hapū aims to build innovative housing on their ancestral lands so they can return. Amber Craig is the wahine force behind this effort. They purchased 20 hectares several years ago. They are raising funds now (via pledgeme investment campaign) to build the first 10 whare. The Pledgeme Page has a lot of background information about the mahi and what they plan to do with the investments.

This is an incredibly uplifting story so far. I am keen to see them reach their funding goal and take it to the next level. At a time when many of us are disheartened and looking for ways to help make things better, they are giving us a way to do just that. Our family made a $100 investment pledge, maybe you will too.

This post is a bit unusual for the site. I know that. This clear application of research, advocacy, and capability really resonated with me and I want to share it with all of you. Check out the details of what they are doing on the pledge me links. Watch the video below to understand their story. Use the social media links to get this message out more broadly. Let's help make this happen!

They have done their research in conjunction with Victoria University.

This year we collaborated with Te Herenga Waka (Victoria University) and welcomed Miki Tiltman into our community as she does her Masters research on our kaupapa. The output of this research is a template for a 30sqm whare, and a self build guide that we will implement by the end of this year.

They are advocating for healthy, sustainable, and adaptable homes -- for everyone.

But we have the answers. We broke down every part of a home to build it back up with our whānau and communities at the centre. We questioned everything, as we always will. No question is too big. If it is broken then we will rebuild it, our way. To provide healthy, sustainable, and adaptable housing to everyone. This is a fundamental right that everyone in Aotearoa deserves. -- Amber Craig

A successful round of investment will allow them to build the capability.

Te Whare Hangahanaga Tapui PledgeMe Investment Campaign -- Ends 8:00 PM on Monday the 19th of August 2024 ($100 minimum investment).

Watch the segment on The Hui about this project.