The new Te Puāwaitanga o Ngā Waka development in Enderley represents a significant step forward in community‑focused housing for Kirikiriroa Hamilton. Delivered by Pragma Homes in partnership with Te Rūnanga o Kirikiriroa (the landowner and a charitable housing provider), the project brings 45 warm, modern homes and a purpose‑built community hub to a neighbourhood undergoing thoughtful regeneration.

From the outset, the vision was clear: to create a connected, multi‑generational community where whānau can live, grow, and support one another across different stages of life. Lifemark© is proud to have contributed to this vision by providing Universal Design expertise for the 14 kaumātua homes within the development.

Designing Homes That Support Wellbeing

The homes were intentionally designed to achieve Lifemark© certification, ensuring they offer greater accessibility, safety, and ease of movement. As Elliot Donaldson, Operations Manager at Pragma Homes, explains:

“Because these homes are intended for older residents, it was important they provide greater accessibility, safety, and ease of movement. Lifemark© offered a clear framework to ensure these homes allow residents to live comfortably and independently for longer.”

Universal Design features such as step‑free entry, wider circulation spaces, and accessible bathroom and kitchen layouts help ensure the homes are easier to navigate and adaptable as residents’ needs change. These design choices support independence and long‑term comfort, allowing kaumātua to remain in a familiar environment and stay connected to their community.

A Collaborative Approach to Practical, Usable Design

Pragma Homes engaged Lifemark© early in the design process, enabling a collaborative approach that strengthened the final outcomes. Elliot notes:

“Working with Lifemark© encouraged the design team to focus carefully on accessibility and everyday usability within the kaumātua homes.”

Designing homes that are both efficient in footprint and fully accessible can be challenging. Lifemark© provided technical guidance to help balance these priorities, ensuring the homes remain practical, comfortable, and easy to move through while still meeting the development’s spatial requirements.

“Lifemark© helped guide design decisions so the homes remain practical and comfortable, while still maintaining efficient layouts suitable for the development,” Elliot says.

Looking Ahead

For Pragma Homes, the experience reinforced the value of embedding Universal Design early in the process. When asked whether he would recommend Lifemark©’s services to other developers, Elliot’s response was clear:

“Yes. Lifemark© provides a practical framework for designing homes that support accessibility and long‑term usability. For developments that include housing for older residents or people with mobility challenges, it ensures those needs are properly considered from the outset.”

Te Puāwaitanga o Ngā Waka stands as a strong example of how Universal Design can support wellbeing, independence, and community connection. Lifemark© is proud to have played a role in shaping homes that will support kaumātua for many years to come.