Phil Twyford opens EasyBuild show home village

EasyBuild, the New Zealand prefabricated home provider, today welcomed Minister for Housing, Hon. Phil Twyford, to its Masterton factory to open a new show home village.

EasyBuild’s prefabricated homes offer an innovative homegrown solution to New Zealand’s current housing dilemma. Highly affordable, these kitset homes cost on average 30% less than conventional housing. The modular style means they can be constructed in half the usual time it takes to build a home and can be assembled using semi-skilled labour.

Mike Fox, EasyBuild Director, says he was delighted the Minister was able to attend and launch the modular home display. He says, “today’s visit from the Minister was greatly appreciated by the EasyBuild team. We’re pleased Minister Twyford had a chance to see our facilities and the high-quality homes we are building to meet New Zealand’s housing needs.”

An affordable housing solution

Mike Fox adds that, “prefabricated homes are a common feature overseas in countries such as Japan, Germany and the Netherlands where they are seen as an efficient and effective way of building premium homes on a large scale.

“Our homes are nothing like the prefabs of old, they reflect modern housing needs, use quality New Zealand materials and comply with the New Zealand Building Code. Importantly, they are healthy homes, with double glazed windows and insulation to keep families warm and dry. They have been designed to cope with New Zealand conditions.”

Providing housing relief after Edgecumbe’s flood

Following the flooding in Edgecumbe in April 2017, EasyBuild homes have been constructed on Kokohinau Marae to house people affected by the natural disaster. Five homes have already been built on the marae and there is hope that further funding will be able to deliver more.

Hemana Eruera Manuera of Kokohinau Marae says, “once the needs and circumstances of the flood affected people are all satisfied and the homes returned to the Kokohinau Papakainga Trust to manage, the homes are lovely and ideal for our elders. They are bright, light and the size is practical. The interiors are impressive and align perfectly with the māori concept of homes.

“EasyBuild have also employed some of our local lads to help with the building and for that we are very grateful – grandparents want to see our young people with jobs.”

Contributing to regional development

Providing employment opportunities and contributing to regional development is an important part of EasyBuild. The company uses an abandoned tobacco plant for its Masterton factory and has created 12 jobs at the site which is expected to double over the next 12 months, contributing to the local economy. EasyBuild also generates employment for people in local communities who can assemble houses on site.