High & White Street

High Street is a landmark Kāinga Ora development in North Canterbury, delivering 28 homes across a diverse mix of typologies designed to support a range of households and living needs. As one of the largest developments of its kind in the region, the project demonstrates how thoughtful design, strong delivery strategy, and community-focused planning can elevate social housing outcomes.

The development goes beyond standard models, integrating architectural quality, sustainability performance, and social infrastructure to create a connected, inclusive neighbourhood that supports long-term wellbeing.

Homestar 6 certified

Designed to meet recognised sustainability benchmarks, supporting improved energy performance and occupant wellbeing.

Stormwater infrastructure

A large underground stormwater detention and filtration system was integrated to manage increased non-permeable surface area and support long-term environmental performance.

Staged consenting and delivery

A staged consenting approach enabled civil works to begin while structural design and approvals were still underway, reducing programme risk.

Staged handover for early occupation

Sequenced delivery allowed parts of the development to be occupied ahead of full completion, accelerating community activation.

Integrated stormwater management

Significant underground infrastructure designed to accommodate increased runoff while maintaining compliance with modern standards.

Social infrastructure planning

Centralised letterbox placement was used as a simple but effective strategy to promote daily interaction.

Enhanced architectural quality

The development exceeded typical social housing design standards, incorporating more considered architectural outcomes.

Accelerated programme delivery

Half of the homes were completed five months ahead of schedule, demonstrating efficient programme management.

Fully accessible design

All homes were designed to be fully accessible, supporting a wide range of resident needs.

Neighbourhood connectivity

Design strategies such as shared spaces and centralised amenities support regular interaction and help build a strong sense of community.