Strathmore Community Rallies to Protect Nuku Street Public Housing Land

A dedicated Wellington community group is fighting to preserve public land in Strathmore, arguing that retaining current housing assets is vital for the city’s future social wellbeing. Strathmore Housing Action is leading the call to stop the sale of Kāinga Ora properties located at 4–8 Nuku Street, warning that losing the site would undermine opportunities for families struggling to find affordable homes. Lizzie Pringle, spokesperson for Strathmore Housing Action, spoke with Radio Waatea’s Dale Husband about the importance of keeping the land in public ownership. The group is urging Housing Minister Chris Bishop to intervene and pause the sale process. Pringle noted that while the deadline for offers has passed, the closure of the tender process does not necessitate an immediate sale. The campaign seeks to postpone any final decision until after the November 7 general election to allow for further scrutiny. The push to save the Nuku Street site has gained significant political momentum. Wellington Mayor Andrew Little, Deputy Mayor Ben McNulty, and nine city councillors have formally written to Housing Minister Chris Bishop, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka, and Kāinga Ora Chief Executive Tracey Taylor to request intervention. Additionally, both the Labour and Green parties have supported the call for a pause, with Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty suggesting that a delay would allow a future government the option to develop public housing on the site. For Māori whānau, the availability of public housing is a critical issue in addressing housing insecurity and overcrowding. Advocates argue that once public land is sold, acquiring replacement sites becomes significantly more difficult and expensive. Strathmore Housing Action maintains that the community must have a meaningful voice in decisions regarding public assets, ensuring that long-term social value is prioritised over short-term financial returns.