A new 20 hectare development off Ashley Place is set to add another 240 houses to Papamoa.

Papamoa's newest subdivision, Manawa – The Heart of Papamoa is owned by Nga Potiki a Tamapahore Trust, whose property experience includes Pacific Coast Retirement Village on Papamoa Beach Road, as well as several small community housing developments.

The launch event was held on Friday at Henry and Ted café, and included an address by Minister for Maori Development Te Ururoa Flavell. Also in attendance were Councillor Max Mason, Tauranga City Council CEO Garry Poole, and representatives from local iwi.

Manawa project manager Peter Cross leads the team, which includes Stratum Consulting, Boffa Miskell, PSL Advisory and others, who are well known in the Tauranga property development industry.

'We are fortunate to have a team of very experienced and highly regarded professionals in this industry who are excited to create something a little bit special.”

The overall design reflects Nga Potiki values around kaitiakitanga and sustainability – from the natural eco system that will be used to filter storm water, to the favouring of native plants over exotics. The use of green space will be maximised with walkways throughout the subdivision, common greens and a large reserve ensuring the walk to the beach provides protective shading from the Papamoa summer sun.

'The whole development is designed to encourage interactions with each other. A modern take on the neighbourhoods we grew up in where kids played happily in the street,” says Peter.

"Manawa is determined to be a subdivision that we all can be proud of for generations to come. Our strict design guidelines ensure the houses are all built to the highest quality and adhere to the vision for the subdivision.

'Our partner builders, Mike Greer Homes, GJ Gardner Homes, Generation Homes and Signature Homes have been working together to create something really special.”

Future stage plans include a commercial area and more park and greenspace. A retirement village is also being considered. Public artworks within the subdivision are also planned.

The Ministry of Education has announced a new primary school will also be built in the vicinity in 2019.

House and Land Packages are now available. People who are registered members of Nga Potiki a Tamapahore may qualify for a subsidy on their section purchase. The amount of the subsidy will be based on a percentage of the land package value.

Nga Potiki follows other Maori corporations making investment in property. Tainui and Ngai Tahu are just two who have experienced significant success.

The Maori asset base is now worth upwards of $43 billion. About 30 per cent of this asset base is held by Maori collectives, with the rest held by Maori employers and self-employed (largely in small and medium enterprises or SMEs).

Guests at Friday night's launch event. Seated in front are local kaumatua and other elders. Photo: Te Ururoa Flavell MP/Facebook.