Streets name for heroes officially opened

All of Flaxmere’s newest streets, named for Flaxmere heroes nominated by the community, have been officially opened.

Two celebrations with te whānau of the heroes, all of whom have passed on, were held over the past six weeks. They were emotional but happy ceremonies, with much laughter and tears.

The opening of the streets is another milestone on the way to providing homes for people who may not otherwise have the chance to own their own property. Hastings mayor Sandra Hazlehurst says: “Our priority is doing everything we can to ensure everyone has a home to call their own.

“We are working with developers to look at ways to enable home ownership for as many people as possible.”

Council’s plan has always been that any new housing developments will be a mix of affordable homes with pathways to ownership (for example rent to buy), affordable rentals, and senior housing.

Your independent Flaxmere Planning Committee strongly supports the kaupapa of mixed model development, as a way to build a strong and diverse community.

Flaxmere Planning Committee chairman Traci Tuimaseve says monthly updates from Council’s planning team give him confidence that the project is on track. “We know that it takes time to find the right development partners to ensure we get the right result for Flaxmere, and we look forward to seeing these new parts of our community flourish.”

The two most recently opened areas, behind the Flaxmere Shopping Centre and behind Flaxmere College, along with new development in Whakaruru Crescent (off Flaxmere Ave) and Korowai St (off Tarbet Ave), are expected to provide more than 200 new homes in Flaxmere.

Street names

The most recent street openings celebrated the lives and contributions of Flaxmere heroes Tuivaiti Fetaiaimauso Tuivaiti, Des Ratima, Jacob Poulain, Ken Kibblewhite, Pam O’Keefe, Tama Huata, and Haami Moeke, all of whom made a huge impact on the lives of many.

Tuivaiti Street – named for Pasifika community leader Tuivaiti Fetaiaimauso Tuivaiti.

Tuivaiti worked tirelessly to strengthen community bonds by organising sporting and church events, with younger people always encouraged to be part of the activities. His annual kilikiti and volleyball tournaments, drawing the Samoan community from across Hawke’s Bay, were legendary. He was a president of the Samoan Labour Party, and a Tukituki Samoan community sports chairman.

Ratima Avenue – named for staunch Flaxmere advocate Des Ratima.

Des bought his first home in Flaxmere but was also known as the Mayor of Whakatū where the family later lived. A chairman of the Flaxmere Marae Committee, he was passionate about sharing Māori tikanga and committed to improving educational and health outcomes for Māori. He received an ONZM in 2018 for services to Māori, became a justice of the peace in 2016, and in 2018, he was named Hawke’s Bay Business Leader of the Year.

He chaired Whakatu Kohanga Reo for 10 years, and was a cultural and environmental adviser for regional and district councils, and a member of the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board Māori Relationship Board.

Poulain Way – named after staunch Flaxmere supporter and defender Jacob Poulain.

A hard-working community man who moved to Flaxmere in 1976, Jacob was known for his humble and gentle heart and his contributions – including being involved in Age Concern, a member of the Flaxmere Licensing Trust for 11 years, and being a foundation member and patron of Te Aranga Marae.

Kibblewhite Road – named for one of Flaxmere’s first residents Ken Kibblewhite.

 Ken’s passion and advocacy for the suburb were legendary. Elected to the Flaxmere Licensing Trust in 1977, where he remained until his retirement in 2021, he was instrumental in gaining funding to contribute to Flaxmere projects. During his time on the Trust, more than $8 million was donated to projects in education, health and welfare, community development, and recreation and sport. 

Pam O’Keefe Avenue – named for ‘mother of Flaxmere’ Pam O’Keefe.

Pam gave back to her community in many different ways,  spending countless hours at Te Aranga Marae, the Flaxmere Boxing Academy, the community gardens, and travelling the streets with the Tunu Tunu, a community barbecue. Alongside former Hastings councillor and Hastings ambassador Henare O’Keefe, she cared for many foster children over the years, providing a safe home.

Te Ara Huata - named for Māori arts and culture trailblazer Tama Huata.

Tama was behind the formation of the Kahurangi Māori Dance Theatre, led the establishment of Te Wānanga Whare Tapere o Takitimu, and spearheaded the Taikura Kaumatua programme. He was instrumental in the development of Ngā Pou o Heretanga in Civic Square in Hastings, led the team that brought Te Matatini to Hastings in 2017, and founded the National Waiata Māori Music Awards.

Te Ara Moeke - named for local master carver Haami Moeke.

Haami’s most notable works locally can be found at Te Aranga Marae, EIT, and Napier’s Pukimokimoki. A teacher, a role model and a ‘go-to man’ for many marae, he often volunteered his carving skills and knowledge, and was renowned for his special ability to weave history with the present.

Last year Whakaruru Vrescent was opened (off Flaxmere Avenue(, named for long0time Flaxmere advocate Steve Whakaruru. Steve was instrumental in the conception and creation of Te Aranga Maraek.

The housing development projects are a partnership between Hastings District Council, central Government, government agencies, iwi, non-government organisations and private sector representatives, under the umbrella of Council’s Hastings Place-based Housing Plan.

Subhead: New housing for vulnerable seniors

 For the first time in 40 years, Council is planning to build new affordable senior housing.

Subject to getting Resource Consent, it will build 39 warm, safe, quality homes in Flaxmere’s new Swansea Ave subdivision.

The facility will sit alongside other housing options included in the full development.

At the time of the announcement this month, Hastings mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said the construction of senior housing aligned with the one of the aims of Council’s housing strategy: to provide an affordable rental option for seniors struggling in the private rental market. 

The units will be built on Council-owned land in the southwest corner of Flaxmere town centre, bounded by Caernarvon Drive, Swansea Ave, Pam O’Keefe Avenue, and Te Ara Huata.

Supermarket goss

There is all sorts of talk, especially in the media, about the Flaxmere supermarket situation. That talk has raised the idea that Flaxmere might get two supermarkets!

Fresh In Fresh Out (FIFO) is reportedly in negotiations with the owners of the building formerly home to Flaxmere New World, although FIFO has told media it’s not ready to talk publicly.

Additionally, Hastings District Council has indicated it has signed a deal for a piece of its commercial land in Flaxmere with a developer who is in discussions with a supermarket company.

Watch this space!