The first 18 families were welcomed into their new KiwiBuild homes in Papakura, Auckland.

One of the country's biggest housing projects is being nailed down in Porirua, north of Wellington.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is expected to announce on Thursday a large-scale plan to regenerate Eastern Porirua - an area known for its pockets of deprivation and its wealth of cultural diversity.

It is understood the plan – to be done in partnership with local iwi Ngāti Toa over the next 15 years – will involve redeveloping roughly 2000 state houses in Eastern Porirua, and about 850 state houses in Western Porirua including Titahi Bay.

STUFF Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Housing Minister Phil Twyford and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff at an earlier KiwiBuild announcement in Papakura, Auckland.

It is also understood the plan will involve the construction of about 2500 KiwiBuild homes.

READ MORE:

* Five myths about KiwiBuild - and who it's meant to help

* Transmission Gully motorway looks likely to be user-pays after Labour shifts gears on tolling

* Green light for big state housing development in Porirua's Cannons Creek

It's likely to draw on urban regeneration in Tamaki, Auckland, where a 20-year project will see about 2500 state houses replaced with 7500 new ones alongside 5000 private market homes by 2036.

SUPPLIED An initiative for new housing in Porirua could draw on experience from the government's plan to build 7500 new "affordable and social" homes in Tamaki, Auckland, over the next decade. (File photo)

Peter Fa'afiu, who was part of the original Tamaki Redevelopment team, said it involved a mixed tenure approach where an old state house was cleared to make room for several new houses such as a new state one, an emergency housing option, and a KiwiBuild property.

The design and planning of the community better reflected the modern diversity of communities.

"They've been talking about doing something in Porirua for a long time. Porirua has got all the hallmarks of a beautiful urban project."

STUFF Peter Fa'afiu, who was part of the original Tamaki Redevelopment team, said it involved a mixed tenure approach where an old state house was cleared away to make room for several new houses such as a new state one, an emergency housing option, and a KiwiBuild property.

Along with challenges involving roading infrastructure and attracting builders to the project, some communities had strong connections not only among friends and family living nearby but also ethnic and religious ties.

Eastern Porirua is tipped to become something of a doorway to the city because a link road running through it will connect Porirua to the major Transmission Gully motorway project due for completion in about two years.

But change can bring tension, not only for those having to shift out of an old house, but also for those staying in the neighbourhood.

SUPPLIED The Whitby and Waitangirua Link Roads that will connect Porirua with the big Transmission Gully project east of the city.

"When a community welcomes you in, you have a social licence. That takes a long time. It's a lot of relationship building," Fa'afiu said.

Porirua Chamber of Commerce chairman Nick Leggett said the plan would herald a humongous "transformation for Porirua".

"It's set to improve the quality of housing in the city for people that most need it. It's going to improve people's lives.

SUPPLIED Work on Transmission Gully shows a motor scraper at work behind Cannons Creek with a sediment retention pond in the background. (File photo)

"This has to be done by people who already live there. They must have a say in the change."

Asked ahead of the public announcement, the Minister for Housing and Urban Development Phil Twyford declined to comment on the specifics of a housing plan.

But on the impact the Transmission Gully roading project would have on housing in Porirua in general, Twyford said the housing crisis had created a dire shortage of homes throughout the country, "and our Government is committed to increasing the stock of public housing in the area".

CHRISTEL YARDLEY/STUFF Minister of Housing and Urban Development Phil Twyford pictured at an earlier KiwiBuild announcement.

"Work will start early next year on 53 new state houses in Cannons Creek and a further 150 new public housing places will be built over the next four years in Porirua following funding from this year's Budget.

"There is no doubt that the construction of Transmission Gully will make Porirua an increasingly attractive place in coming years for families and workers commuting into Wellington City. With land prices lower than Wellington City, it is also likely to be a magnet for housing developers."

Eastern Porirua councillor Kylie Wihapi said any opportunity for revitalising and developing Porirua East would definitely have its benefits, "but it's about who it's benefiting".

MONIQUE FORD/STUFF Porirua Chamber of Commerce chief executive Nick Leggett believes community consultation will be key for the new builds to work.

"It would be important to define affordable housing particularly when it comes to areas with high housing demand and affordability pressures. I wouldn't want this wonderful opportunity to increase inequities in housing ownership."