Affordable home for the Havili whānau

The thought of owning their own home seemed like an unattainable dream for Samisoni and Mele Havili, but after taking part in the TRC OWN IT programme, they are proving that hard work, commitment and perseverance really does pay off. 

After completing the eight week programme online during the 2020 lockdown and participating in an additional financial literacy course, the couple were ecstatic to be offered a home only a year later. 

The family of four settled in their new three-bedroom terrace house in Point England, and Mele admits, it still feels surreal. 

“I still don’t believe it sometimes. We thought it would never be an option for us - especially with the current housing prices. Our children were our main motivation, and it felt good to do this for their future. If home ownership is something you really want, then it is definitely possible.” 

The pair have been sharing their journey with family, friends and church members to inspire others to utilise the home ownership sessions on offer. 

Samisoni says, “The programme changed the narrative for us, because we wanted to see results from our hard work. It’s a safe space to talk about debt, especially for Pasifika people. They will help you set realistic goals, to help get you from one stage to the next. At times it was a hard topic for us to discuss as a couple, to have the confidence to talk about money while still being conscious of our dreams.” 

Samisoni and Mele say it was helpful for their journey to have mentors who regularly check in, and they encourage more local whānau to take that first step to reach out and learn for themselves. 

Mele says, “Coming across this programme was an eye opening experience. We learnt the importance of keeping track of our money and where we were spending it. Not just thinking about the present, but thinking about the future as well. It isn’t easy, but it is achievable with the right support.” 

Samisoni added, “You have to be ready to make the commitment and take on the advice. Now we own our first home, and we’re over the moon! It’s the best feeling ever - up there with having our first child.” 

The OWN IT programme is available for everyone in Tāmaki. The workshops will help get you ready to apply for a mortgage, provide tools to help you buy your home, and equip you with skills to build a financial plan for your whānau (pay off debt and save for a deposit).

Visit www.tamakiaffordablehomes.co.nz for more information.