Creating Safer, Healthier Homes for whānau.
Article
For whānau , a house is more than four walls and a roof. Itis where tamariki and mokopuna grow, where whānau come together, and where our pakeke can remain connected to their people, whenua and hapori.
Over the past four years, the Ngāti Porou Oranga Housing Repairs Programme has been working alongside supporting 95 households across rohenga 1-7, to make homes safer, warmer, drier and healthier.
For some whānau, a new roof means no longer worrying about rain coming through the ceiling. For others, a new water tank means having a reliable water supply. Repairs to windows, flooring and bathrooms can make homes safer, warmer and more comfortable, giving whānau greater security, dignity and peace of mind.
Whānau also contribute towards their repairs. As part of the programme, whānau contribute 5–10%towards the cost of their approved repairs. This contribution acknowledges the role whānau play in their own housing journey and reflects a shared commitment to the investment in their whare providing a hand up, not a handout.
For the 56 pakeke households, these repairs help make it possible to remain safely in their own homes and connected to their whānau, whenua and communities.
A warm, dry and safe home can make an important difference to health and wellbeing.
Since health information began being collected in 2024, 47 households reported occupants living with health conditions that could be affected or exacerbated by poor housing conditions, including respiratory illnesses and asthma, heart conditions, mobility issues and other ongoing health challenges.
For these whānau, improving the condition of their home is about more than fixing a house — it is about creating an environment that better supports hauora and wellbeing.
Whānau feedback shows the difference the repairs are making.
Whānau have told us they feel safer, healthier and more comfortable in their homes. They have also appreciated the professionalism, respect and friendliness of the contractors who have worked alongside them.
Their feedback is helping us strengthen the programme, including improving communication so whānau receive clearer and more timely updates throughout the repair process.
A repaired roof, a new water tank or a safer bathroom might seem like a practical improvement — but for whānau, the impact can be much greater.
➡️ It can mean a pakeke staying safely at home.
➡️ It can mean tamariki and mokopuna living in a warmer, drier environment.
➡️ It can mean a whānau no longer worrying when it rains or whether they will have enough water.
And it can mean whānau continuing to live, work, raise their tamariki and stay connected within the hapori they call home.
This work would not be possible without the support of our funding partners.
Ngāti Porou Oranga acknowledges and thanks Te Puni Kōkiri, ECCT and Whānau Ora for their investment in the Housing Repairs Programme and their commitment to improving housing outcomes for Ngāti Porou whānau.
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