Te Māra – Keri is a 31-home development that is part of the wider re-development of the Mount Roskill South precinct. It sits amongst existing single-family homes and recently completed higher-density multi-unit developments.
The brief called for the creation of affordable homes in Mount Roskill, a high-demand area, with a focus on fostering community—both within the immediate project and the wider precinct. Te Māra – Keri responds to this need by providing well-designed, engaging, livable homes in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau.
The project cultivates a close-knit community by connecting neighbours through shared spaces and thoughtful master planning. Homes are designed with front doors engaging the public realm, while private rear yards offer seclusion and minimise overlooking to enhance privacy. Centralised parking within landscaped JOALs eliminates street-facing vehicle crossings, creating a safer and more pedestrian-friendly environment.
A key design driver for the project is its relationship with Puketāpapa (Mt Roskill), which has significantly influenced both the masterplanning and aesthetic approach. Puketāpapa is a sacred mounga to Te Ākitai Waiohua and was historically home to a pā site used for food production. The name Te Māra translates to The Garden, acknowledging this rich history. Traditionally, Te Ākitai Waiohua would burn and return harvested vegetable matter to the soil as fertiliser—a practice evidenced by the stratified layers of soil and ash uncovered during excavations. In response, the homes have been masterplanned to frame views towards the mounga, while the façades reference the site’s unique soil stratification, embedding its history into the built environment.
Te Māra – Keri is located with direct connections to the surrounding central suburbs and CBD. Additionally, its proximity to local schools, Freeland Reserve and Puketāpapa offers a blend of urban convenience and connection to green open space.
The name ‘Te Māra’, or the ‘The Garden’ suggests an emphasis on nature and community well-being. These homes aim to connect neighborhoods to the mana whenua, to the land, the community, the landscape, and the city.
Photography by Simon Devitt
