Papakāinga is a traditional Māori concept that means “a nurturing place to live,” a collective approach to housing that brings whānau together on ancestral land. It’s about living in harmony with nature, caring for one another, and creating intergenerational spaces where stories, culture, and connection thrive.
In today’s world, Papakāinga represents more than housing, it’s a movement that reconnects people to their whakapapa, restores the mana of the whenua, and provides practical, affordable homes for whānau who want to return home.
Access to finance is often one of the biggest barriers to building on Māori land. The Kāinga Whenua Loan, a joint scheme between Kiwibank and Kāinga Ora, is designed to help Māori build, purchase, or relocate homes onto multiply owned Māori land.
You can read the official Kāinga Whenua Loan brochure (PDF) via Kāinga Ora:
“Buying or Building Your First Home with a Kāinga Whenua Loan” PDF (kaingaora.govt.nz)
To learn about terms and eligibility, see Kiwibank’s page:
Kāinga Whenua | Kiwibank Home Loans (kiwibank.co.nz)
And see Kāinga Ora’s official Kāinga Whenua overview:
Kāinga Whenua – Kāinga Ora (kaingaora.govt.nz)
Tiny Home HQ partners with iwi, hapū, and whānau to design and deliver homes that honour Māori values while meeting modern needs. Each Papakāinga project is unique, guided by kaupapa Māori principles and built around the aspirations of the people it serves.
We provide a full end to end service, including:
Our homes are built with care for the land and for the future. Using sustainable materials, energy efficient systems, and locally sourced resources wherever possible, we ensure each dwelling reflects kaitiakitanga, guardianship of our natural world.
We also understand that well designed spaces support wellbeing. Each home we build is created to nurture connection, between people, place, and purpose.
At Tiny Home HQ, we don’t just build homes, we build partnerships.
We recognise that true Papakāinga development is led by whānau and iwi, and must reflect the voice, values, and aspirations of the people connected to the whenua.
That’s why we actively engage and support iwi for their consultation and cultural guidance throughout each stage of development. This ensures every project is grounded in tikanga, designed with integrity, and developed as a genuine collaboration, not just a transaction.
Whether developing a small cluster of whānau homes or a larger community project, we work alongside iwi representatives, Māori land trusts, and local councils to create outcomes that are financially sustainable, culturally aligned, and future ready.
We value manaakitanga, genuine care and respect, and we know that every Papakāinga project is more than construction, it’s a legacy.
Every Papakāinga begins with kōrero, a shared conversation about dreams, land, and whānau. If you’re ready to explore what’s possible on your whenua, including how the Kāinga Whenua Loan and iwi partnerships can support your project, we’d love to help.
Get in touch with the Tiny Home HQ team today to start the journey home.
