Community, culture and connection are being woven through Wesley as the neighbourhood marks a meaningful step forward.

The first new Kāinga Ora social housing complex with community room to be completed in Puketāpapa was completed in late 2024, with a community viewing day attracting about 60 people undeterred by wet weather.

Roskill Development and Kāinga Ora teams showcased a three-bedroom and a two-bedroom home at our William Blofield Avenue development, with staff leading tours for attendees before providing hot coffee and a sausage sizzle, and a chat about the work underway and coming up for the Wesley (West) neighbourhood.

Karla Beazley, Community Development and Engagement Coordinator, says the day’s success was thanks to the collaboration between build partners, Kāinga Ora and members of the wider community.

“Local champion Jacob was a big help with setup and pack-down, and Tania, our talented local weaver, invited attendees to craft harakeke [flax] fish, or ika,” Karla says.

“These will feature as an art piece in our new community room, serving as a reminder of Te Auaunga, the beautiful awa that’s a well-known landmark in Wesley.”

Children and families enjoyed a variety of activities including Lego and VR, while others learned more about the development in the Wesley (West) neighbourhood.

Our community also took a moment to pay its respects to Rima Sikei, a much-respected local rangatahi who tragically passed away nearby in 20.

“Our teams worked together with community leaders to remember him and in hopes of inspiring future youth,” Karla says.

“Global Hope Missions wrote a poem dedicated to Rima, and these are now everlasting words engraved into a plaque by our new community room – to recognise courageous past, present and future rangitahi.”