The Bledisloe Road development delivers culturally grounded, resilient social housing for the Maraenui community in Napier. The project includes a freestanding accessible home designed for multi-generational living and two walk-up apartment blocks, each containing four two-bedroom units. All ground-floor homes are fully accessible, supporting inclusive and lifelong occupation.

The design was developed in close cultural collaboration with Ngāti Kahungunu, with representatives Thompson Hokianga and Tāmanuhiri Russell shaping a narrative recalling the historic seabed and fishing grounds present prior to the 1931 Napier earthquake. Kōwhaiwhai patterns inform screening, cladding, fencing and paving, while colours reference the iridescent spectrum of pāua shell, culturally significant to Ngāti Kahungunu.

The apartments are arranged in an alternating configuration to respect tikanga and tapu/noa relationships and to support cultural practices such as tangihanga within the home.

Native planting and fruit trees reinforce connection to whenua and support community food resilience. A shared common space provides opportunities for residents to gather, build relationships and foster a strong sense of community and belonging.