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    • Ngā Ara ki te Kāinga: Understanding Barriers and Solutions to Women’s Homelessness
      • The stories of women as told in their words are woven with data from the government’s Integrated Data Infrastructure inspired by inspired by the He Awa Whiria model, which was originally developed by Professor Angus McFarlane and takes its name, and metaphorical context, from the Waimakariri River in the South Island/Te Waipounamu. The Waimakariri is a braided river, coming together at key points before moving apart again. It shows that 50% of people experiencing homelessness in Aotearoa are women, and that their health and housing needs as women are not often being met. It also documents the disproportionate impact on wāhine Māori, who are over one third of women experiencing homelessness, single mothers, and - increasingly - older women. It recommends four key actions for the Government: All government agencies working with homelessness develop the policy and operational design frameworks and expertise to ensure housing policy addresses the needs of women. This will need to include better quality gender disaggregated data. There is a national strategy specifically focused on women's homelessness that addresses the unique challenges faced by wāhine Māori, Pacific women, older women, single mothers, and other marginalised women and groups. Using the social investment approach, that there are stronger partnerships between its agencies, community providers, Māori and iwi to provide coordinated, holistic support for homeless women that address the complex and diverse needs of homeless women, including mental health, addiction, domestic violence, and childcare support. Again, taking a social investment approach, that there are targeted prevention and early intervention programmes and support for women at risk of homelessness, particularly older women facing financial insecurity, single mothers, and women experiencing domestic violence are prioritised. A robust monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the effectiveness of interventions and policies targeting women's homelessness, including regularly reviewing and updating strategies based on emerging research and feedback from whānau and kaimahi, is created. DOWNLOAD FULL REPORT Permalink

    • Housing regime makes homeless women invisible
      • Yesterday, the Coalition to End Women’s Homelessness launched Ngā Ara ki te Kāinga: Understanding Barriers and Solutions to Women’s Homelessness in Aotearoa. This research highlights how housing policy has failed to recognise the unique challenges faced by women experiencing homelessness, leaving them invisible in the system. 💡 Key Findings: - Women make up 50% of those severely housing-deprived, with wāhine Māori disproportionately affected. - Homelessness peaks at age 25 and is rising for women over 65. - Hidden homelessness includes couch-surfing, unsafe relationships, and survival strategies like sex work, exposing women to violence. - Severely housing-deprived women are more likely to have children, face unmet health needs, and lack access to key services like mental health support and driver’s licenses. The report calls for urgent action: housing policies must account for the gendered realities of homelessness. We can create a fairer, more effective system by collecting better data, prioritising women and their children, and fostering partnerships between government, iwi, and communities. It’s time to make women visible in the housing crisis. #WHWT #EndWomensHomelessness #HousingForAll #Aotearoa FULL ARTICLE Permalink

    • Te Whare Nukunoa Christmas Party
      • Recently we held a big event for our tenants, our staff and some of the board members of Te Whare Nukunoa. This event was named 'Me, Myself and I' by Hiria, our General Manager – With the mission to celebrate the present and past tenants of Te Whare Nukunoa. The purpose of 'Me, Myself and I' was to acknowledge the journeys that many of the women who have come through our doors are on and to celebrate the progress that all have made in their lives. Some of the tenants showcased artworks they've been creating, we enjoyed singing our hearts out to a few karaoke classics! And some of our wahine stood and shared writings of their harrowing but inspiring journeys with poems and short stories. We all shared beautiful kai that was provided by the Compassion Soup Kitchen Te Kīhini Hupa o Pūaroha and enjoyed specialty dishes by our own staff. It was a special event for us all to reflect and connect with the many stories and experiences that sit within Te Whare Nukunoa, from board members, staff and tenants. What a wonderful day and thanks to everyone who made it happen!

    • Hikoi mō Te Tiriti ki Pāremata
      • Today, some of us from Te Whare Nukunoa marched in support of the Hikoi mō Te Tiriti ki Pāremata to demonstrate the might of tangata whenua and tangata tiriti working together to create a Aotearoa hou where the mana of Te Tiriti o Waitangi is enduring and everlasting. We know that when Te Tiriti is truly upheld, all are cared for and thriving. What a turn out e te whānau! Absolutely inspiring! Toitū te Tiriti! https://toitutetiriti.co.nz/

    • noho wānanga
      • Recently Te Whare Nukunoa were fortunate enough to support a noho wānanga for some of the women who are staying at Te Whare Nukunoa. Many of the wahine that come into Te Whare Nukunoa are loving mothers and for varying reasons are not able to be with their children as much as they would love to. So for some of the wahine and their children, we held a noho wānanga in Raumati - for māmā and their tamariki to have some quality time together in the school holidays. We stayed right by the beach so we had plenty of beach time, spa time, a trip to the pool, karaoke, arts and crafts, nails and make up and of course lots of good nourishing kai. We were blessed with beautiful weather and beautiful people for this trip, one for all of our memory banks! Mauri Ora! #WHWT #WALK #OCT2024

    • Research Shines Light On Women’s Experiences Of Homelessness This World Homelessness Day
      • Today, on World Homeless Day, we reflect on the challenges faced by homeless women in our community and the importance of organisations that are taking action. For the women we serve, it's about breaking the cycle—Trauma, addiction, mental health struggles, and isolation are some of the complex barriers faced daily, making it essential for us to provide not just housing but comprehensive, compassionate support. Every woman deserves a safe place to rebuild her life and we are here to offer that support. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Coalition to End Women’s Homelessness for including the Wellington Homeless Women's Trust in their upcoming research report (Full report out soon). RESEARCH ARTICLE – https://www.scoop.co.nz/.../research-shines-light-on... Their work helps amplify the voices of women experiencing homelessness, shedding light on the unique challenges they face and highlighting the actions happening on the frontline that are generating success. Together, along with many others, we are working towards a future where every woman has access to the safe, stable housing and support services she needs to thrive. Let’s commit to making homelessness a thing of the past. #WorldHomelessDay #EmpowerWomen #EndHomelessness #WellingtonHomelessWomensTrust Permalink

    • Katrina’s Success Story
      • Here I am at the Whare! Borine “74” - Fast forward to “24”. My upbringing was unfortunately neglect, all tho somewhere along the line, there was love, hugs & morals, must have been. Where did I get it, I’ll tell you… All of the neglect, here is an opposite called connection/love/compassion/empathy, forgiveness, loving ourselves, & Christ. So far all that neglect, pain, grief, disconnection, hate there is the opposite! So, for nearly 50 years I’ve been putting shit on myself by not accepting that from all the neglect was this beautiful side to the neglect. Also I decided to forgive myself for not forgiving myself earlier. Did I know how? Did I care? Have I tried? Kind of. Taking a step back, getting away from meth has allowed me to see how much of a wonderful person I can be towards others and myself. I’ve become grateful daily. I’m grateful for this place, Te Whare Nukunoa giving me a chance to grow in “self development”. New Moto - ME, Myself & I. It works, it’s not selfish, it’s selfless I am very honest and very grateful on myself. I choose to be with Christ. I choose to these positive things. I choose to treat others the same whether it is returned or not. To be this way is a gift in itself. I became addicted because I started to enjoy the neglect! There’s that part that still does, but because I choose to acknowledge that neglect when it comes up - It’s a reminder of what I went through. Grief, sadness, pain - Stuck - Hating others and me, myself & I. That a fulfilling purpose of life for me, myself and I. It enables me to accept all that pain. There is an opposite! It started with acknowledging I was ‘addicted’ to painfulness! Experience. Under the W.A.L.K. Program offered at the Wellington Homeless Women’s Trust - Me, Myself & I - Love Light Peace. I will always need support and help so I know I will be more confident to ask for it. I miss my mum - Rana Keith.

    • Board Vacancy (HR)
      • We are on the hunt for changemakers! Wellington Homeless Women's Trust is seeking a dedicated individual to join our amazing Board! This is an exciting opportunity to join a volunteer board with members who govern the Trust and are committed to supporting homeless women in the Wellington area. Our Board - https://www.whwt.org.nz/board We're looking for someone with skills in: – Human resources, including experience of supporting leaders with HR processes such as performance and recruitment; and / or – Development of People Strategies, and supporting leaders to implement a People Strategy. – Organisational development experience would be an added bonus. Interested in learning more? Head over to (https://www.appointbetterboards.co.nz/position/apt21856), Login or Register to see the full position description and application details. #homelessnes #wellington #womensempowerment #makeadifference #boardmember Position Application Permalink

    • Gala Dinner Fundraiser Event 2024
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    • 'Very mentally unwell people' in homeless shelter amidst constant shortage of space in clinical care
      • A homeless shelter in Hamilton says it is being left to look after acutely unwell mental health patients because the city's mental health services are so stretched. It claims one of its guests was left in a "zombie-like" state after being given medicine by mental health workers so they could remain at the shelter until seen by a psychiatrist. Te Whatu Ora Waikato denies the allegation, saying it is not allowed to sedate patients in the community, although it admits its acute adult mental health inpatient facility typically operates at over 100 percent capacity. Read Full Article Permalink

    • W.A.L.K. Trip to Waitata Bay in the Marlborough Sounds
      • Tenants and Staff enjoying each others company, celebrating a great trip! On Wednesday 7th February, 10 wāhine from Te Whare Nukunoa loaded into a van and set sail on the 7:00am ferry to Picton for our annual W.A.L.K. Programme holiday trip. This year's trip was to the stunning Waitata Bay Lodge in the Marlborough Sounds where we stayed for 2 nights. For many of our wāhine, it was their first time sailing on the ferry or making the journey to Te Waipounamu (South Island). We had a pitstop in Blenheim for lunch and continued our four-hour drive to Waitata Lodge. The van was filled with music and laughter from our wāhine. Arriving at the lodge, we were in awe! The lodge was absolutely beautiful with the most incredible views. There was plenty to do; there was a games room, a library, a private beach and even a private jetty – which we had all to ourselves! Waitata Lodge is tucked away amongst the native bush and overlooks the beach, there was nothing but the sound of cicadas and the waves washing the shore. A lot of our wāhine commented on how safe and free they felt. We spent our time outside going for walks, kayaking, fishing, stand-up paddle boarding, swimming with stingrays and most importantly, relaxing. It was a peaceful and safe environment for our wāhine to have some much-needed rest away from the city. We had comments from our wāhine such as “it is actually nice to be sober” and “this would be a really good spot for a rehab.” On our final night, at dinner, we shared our gratitude and things we love about ourselves as a group. It was incredibly beautiful to hold space where we were all vulnerable and honest. One of our Staff members said, “Hearing the wāhine talk about themselves in such a positive way and sharing the things they love about themselves was the highlight of my experience. I have come away refreshed but also incredibly grateful to our wāhine for sharing themselves with us and grateful to be a part of this space and to receive the kōrero that was shared with me.” As a collective, none of us wanted to leave paradise but we reluctantly loaded our gear back into the van for the long journey home, feeling refreshed, inspired and ready to take on the year. Reflections Our wahine shared their reflections from our trip away: “This trip was amazing. I didn't realise how much I needed a holiday until I was there. I realised I had not been still in such a long time. The scenery was amazing and the river we swam at on the way home was gorgeous. I really enjoyed that we focused a lot on self-love and the staff joined in as well, showing some vulnerability and expressing that we are all human. It was really positive. Since then I have been implementing things discussed on the trip when it comes to self-care and I have let go of quite a bit and I feel ready now to focus on going forward. It was really uplifting not having to worry about people either, we were all women there and we could all just be comfortable in our bodies and not feel judged.” “My highlight was watching the stingray wave at me, it was so majestic and felt like it was saying goodbye to us on our last night. I felt peaceful and calm being there. I went on a walk up the hill and I was getting puffed out but looking at the view from up the top was majestic, there was a family of fantails up there and they were all talking to us. I went fishing and caught a fish and caught another one but it unhooked, it was the size of my arm! Pretty sure it was a blue Cod. I took away the fact that I enjoy being one with nature and I have connected with the women of the house. Because I have always been anti-social for the last 10 years, connecting with mana wahine that are also in the same waka as me without social media was great. I enjoyed not being on my phone. There was no down buzz, no tension or negativity or if it was it was towards ourselves, but we uplifted each other a lot. The laughter was crack up. I overcame a couple of fears, especially swimming in the water with the stingrays. I really enjoyed my time, it was very majestic and almost like a painting in a dream.” “I want to thank Te Whare Nukunoa for the beautiful memories I will have while in my time of need. It has been wonderful with my illness to configure and adjust my mind state that has been harmed by others. This retreat is amazing and I would like to do it and the staff have been wonderful. Second day of our Retreat watching the girls on the water warms my heart. I feel awesome. Loved it so much thank you Whaea’s I did Whakawatia, it was soothing with Te Paki I felt safe and wish I could have stayed there forever.” “Reflection on a perfect getaway with Te Whare Nukunoa. The gentle rocking of the kayak against the pristine water mirrored the peace that settled within me. Each stroke of the Oar was like a slow deliberate release of tension and was replaced by the rhythmic harmony of nature and birds. Having the stingrays beneath me was like the cleansing of one's soul. It took away our worries and we could come back to just being ourselves. That's what leaving the city and the stresses of day to day life did for me.” To make more trips like this happen, please consider supporting our W.A.L.K. Programme by making a donation. These trips would not be possible without community donations and wider funding efforts. By donating, you are giving someone the opportunity to improve their situation by experiencing something they thought may never be possible. It also enables WHWT to provide the best possible service we can to our wāhine and set them up for a future they can control. Homelessness is a by-product of much bigger contributing issues – mental health, physical health, generational trauma, environmental and many societal issues. Trips like these take wāhine away from these negative influences, open them up to new experiences and highlight the potential for a brighter future – they have a significant impact on our wāhine that will be with them long after their time with us. Thank you to all donors for your generosity and for enabling us to continue our meaningful mahi. DONATE TO SUPPORT

    • Afternoon Tea | International Women’s Day
      • This year we are celebrating International Women's Day with a morning tea for all of our wāhine at Te Whare Nukunoa. We believe "the women who stay with us should be celebrated for what they have survived: abuse from an early age, continual discrimination and poverty often leading to mental health problems and addiction, often left untreated for decades." We also wanted to acknowledge all of the amazing women that make Wellington homeless Women’s Trust and Te Whare Nukunoa the caring and positive environment it is today. Let's use this International Women's Day as an opportunity to push for change and make sure women are included in the conversations around housing needs and homelessness. #internationwomensday #inspireinclusion #investinwomen #iwd2024 #genderequalit Make a Donation

    • To hell with platitudes and cups of tea this Women’s Day
      • International Women’s Day 2024 This year we are celebrating International Women's Day with a morning tea for all of our wāhine at Te Whare Nukunoa. We believe "the women who stay with us should be celebrated for what they have survived: abuse from an early age, continual discrimination and poverty often leading to mental health problems and addiction, often left untreated for decades." Let's use this International Women's Day as an opportunity to push for change and make sure women are included in the conversations around housing needs and homelessness. #WHWT #WALK #HomelessWomen #SupportOurWahine #Donate #Wellington #EmpowerWomen #HealthAndWellbeing #Homeless #NewBeginnings #community #March2024 #sanctury #wellington #internationwomensday #inspireinclusion #investinwomen #iwd2024 #genderequalit Read Full Article Permalink

    • ‘Shine a Light’ on how WHWT is breaking the cycle of homelessness
      • Breaking the cycle of homelessness with transitional housing services and communal living. How can we break the cycle of homelessness? It is a multifaceted issue where emphasis is commonly placed on generating more housing options. While the lack of housing is a prominent issue in Aotearoa New Zealand, providing more homes is a band-aid solution to a growing homeless population. Through our whare model, we’ve found homelessness presented in women is tackled most effectively when the heart of their challenges is addressed in a supportive environment before transitioning into independent housing. Due to the fact a dispropriate number of women in our care are wāhine Māori, our Trust has found women in our care benefit directly from collectivist housing, care that establishes a sense of home and is underpinned by tino rangatiratanga (decision-making around independence, sovereignty and self-determination). General Manager, Hiria Tareha says, “We operate as one big family. We create a safe and supportive environment that fosters trust for homeless women from all walks of life.” “Staying at Te Whare Nukunoa is a crucial step in our women’s journeys to enter independent housing. During this time, our experienced staff link wāhine up with healthcare, rehabilitation programmes, job opportunities and help them feel like part of a community.” Four ways the Wellington Homeless Women’s Trust (WHWT) and Te Whare Nukunoa are getting it right: WHWT provides an intensive and restorative response of services that is relational and long-lasting, rather than a punitive approach which can lead to ongoing negative behaviours. 1. Around-the-clock support by registered and qualified staff 24/7 support by our staff promotes stability and encourages stronger rapport between staff and our wāhine. Our team consists of senior social workers, an Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) counsellor, a registered nurse, a psychologist, administration and support staff. Dedicated staff offer the opportunity for wāhine to establish meaningful relationships, and empower them to speak out in a safe environment when things are not going so well. Our staff are on-site to address acute situations before disruptive behaviour seriously impacts others around them, by providing faster support through risk management and crisis intervention procedures. We also maintain regular check-ins for those who are high-risk and may need more support than others. 2. Building a sense of belonging in a whare model We have a 14-bedroom house with onsite support from three social workers during the day and two support workers for evening shifts outside of business hours. A dedicated team allows for focused support for our wāhine during after-hours and over the weekend periods. Te Whare Nukunoa offers a communal style of living that affords the time and space for wāhine to work towards a healthier and more stable lifestyle. All tenants are encouraged to participate in activities and contribute towards maintaining a homely environment. 3. Holistic support through our W.A.L.K. programme General Manager, Hiria Tareha says, “The primary function of our W.A.L.K. programme is to build confidence, trust and the ability to believe in oneself. We aspire to help our women to achieve their physical, cultural, spiritual, mental health and aspirational goals.” Within this programme, WHWT emphasises the education of everyday life skills, whether that is waking up at the same time every day, keeping key appointments, doctor visits, eating healthy, budgeting, learning new skills and getting regular exercise. “We get wāhine involved with road trips to other parts of the country, job training, community events, stadium events, movies and outdoor activities,” says General Manager, Hiria Tareha. WHWT focuses on breaking social barriers for women who have struggled in the past, showing them that they do belong and that they have the power to change their situations. 4. Breaking the cycle of homelessness “Throughout and after our programme, we advocate for our women and connect them with key services to help get them back on their feet and break the cycle of homelessness. Our services go far beyond their time at our whare,” says General Manager, Hiria Tareha. We aim to support wāhine on their journey to recovery so they can build self-confidence, self-esteem and independence. We believe this will empower them to care for themselves and contribute positively to the lives of their children, family and community. Providing coordinated care within a safe and communal environment means long-term outcomes for wāhine accessing them, and less stress on the wider community or other social services. Through our services, we can confidently state there has been a substantial reduction in demand for government resources. By easing pressure on public healthcare, hospitals, and the justice system from court appearances to prison and police call-outs, others in need can more easily access these key resources. By donating to the WHWT, you can contribute to a holistic transitional housing environment that is successful in securing women permanent housing while also addressing their health and well-being. For more information about how you can support our mission, visit: www.whwt.org.nz/make-a-donation Find out more about WHWT: https://www.whwt.org.nz/about #MakeItVisable #ShineALight #Wāhine #Homelessness #Aotearoa MAKE A DONATION

    • Job Alert: Social Worker
      • Social Worker (Full-time / Part-Time) As a Social Worker, you will ensure our service will be delivered in an ethical, clinically appropriate, accountable and safe way. This will be done in accordance with our core values, Codes, Policies and Procedures and mandatory requirements of the Wellington Homeless Women’s Trust. Most women who stay with us experience homelessness as a result of historical trauma, family harm, sexual abuse, mental unwellness, varying addictions or disconnection from whanau. This has an overall impact on their personal health & well-being. As a Social Worker, you will play a pivotal role in working alongside each tenant to develop an individualised support plan using our W.A.L.K Program framework. You will also assist in rebuilding their confidence, regaining their independence and self-worth. Our primary goal is to transition all tenants to a safe place they can call 'home’, while also giving them the life skills needed to live on their own successfully. The team at Te Whare Nukunoa feel very privileged to be working alongside our most vulnerable wahine and to share the many positive changes made through each individual's journey. Key Responsibilities: Social Worker will arrange a pre-assessment interview to identify any at-risk concerns which may hinder their ability to live independently in permanent housing. Referrals made to external or other specialist services are required. Provide regular and accurate reports to the General Manager including but not limited to statistics and outcomes achieved. Full tenant engagement is to be encouraged always. Assistance with basic life skills to support living independently. Encourage tenants to engage with external agencies such as for gambling, drug & alcohol or associated health professionals. Motivate women towards employment and training. Provide advocacy with Work and Income NZ (WINZ) and all social housing providers. Contribute to other training or educational programmes as required Provide quality service and ensure a high standard of professionalism is maintained at all times. Qualifications: Holds a certificate in Social Work, Health Care, Housing or recognised equivalent. Experience in working for or with Government is a bonus. Skills & Experience: The ideal candidate is someone who has experience in the following: Social outreach programs locally, internationally or similar. Managing accommodation/housing within the homeless sector. Working with key Government agencies. Have an understanding of relevant legislation, standards and guidelines pertaining to the homeless sector. Experience working with Māori providers, Whānau, Hapū and Iwi. Key relationships within the social development sector. Embrace Te Ao Māori components in all aspects of their role. Perks of the Job: Parking Available in the CBD Access to W.A.L.K. Programme activities throughout the week Access to Gym/Swimming pool membership Access to company car Work laptop Flexible work hours (to be negotiated) We look forward to receiving your application! Applications close – March 17th Primary Contact Hiria Tareha General Manager (04) 384 7870 info@whwt.org.nz Apply for the position Apply Now Permalink

    • Wrapping up 2023 – Words from our General Manager
      • “2023 has been our most successful year in terms of transitioning our women into new homes” From our little corner of world… I take this opportunity to reflect not only on the last 12 months but also the very challenging and rewarding outcomes achieved by Wellington Homeless Women’s Trust and our whare Te Whare Nukunoa. Established in 2013, we started with 5 rooms and two staff as an independent transitional provider. In 2020, our Board secured an agreement of 9 more rooms funded by Housing Urban Authority, which increased our service to 14 rooms. Today, the demand for critical assistance, housing, supported living, independence skills, health & wellbeing and simply avoiding homelessness had reached epidemic proportions. Although not surprised by the research carried out by Alan & Clark, who identified that 50.5% of people experiencing homelessness in Aotearoa were women. Our service currently operates 24 hours and 7 days a week with a staff ratio of 10, which is very unique. It has been stated by several government agencies that we may be a ’one of a kind’ in the Wellington region or perhaps nationally that provides such a comprehensive service. This is daily frontline work with a difference – comparing this to “you don’t know someone until you have lived with them”. This places us in a strong position to advocate adequately for all our tenants. A high caliber of 10 highly skilled professionals and support staff makes up our team. Once tenants settle in, each is introduced to a ‘Specialised Individual Support Plan’ under the ‘W.A.L.K Program Framework ‘. This covers all aspects of identifying tenant’s needs and prioritising how best to address them. The key to success is the willingness by the tenants to engage with the support given. This makes a significant difference to their Health, Education, Wellbeing and safety. Having a good collaborative working relationship with other community services speeds up the process of receiving an achievable outcome. One such collective partnership (Pilot “Healing’ Program) was formed late this year with our Alcohol, Other Drug (AOD) practitioner in collaboration with Downtown City Mission (DCM) called, “Poipoia te Kakano kia Puawai – ‘Nuture the seed and it will bloom’. This is proving very popular. 2023 has been our most successful year in terms of transitioning our women into new homes. We all feel very privileged to be a part of their happiness and the valuable knowledge they have given us whilst a tenant at Te Where Nukunoa. None of this work could have been possible without the generosity of funders, community support, donations, aroha and the WHWT Board of Trustees. From us all, THANK YOU SO MUCH! May you all have a blessed festive season. MAKE A DONATION

    • Te Paki o matariki Neha Manihera | Social Worker
      • Te Paki o matariki Neha Manihera is our newest addition to the team at Te Whare Nukunoa – She has had many years of experience as a Social Worker and we cannot wait for her to share the knowledge she has gained through her unique journey. Ko Maungakawa toku maunga Ko Topehaehae toku awa Ko Tainui toku waka Ko Ngāti Hauaa toku Iwi Ko Ngāti Werewere toku hapū Ko Rukumoana ngā Kai-a-te-mata oku marae Ko Te Paki o matariki Neha Manihera ahau E noho ana au inaianei ki Te Awakairangi. Why did you choose Social Work as a profession? Good question! I think it comes from watching the older generations of my hapu, Iwi, struggle with grief. Particularly when you lose the one person who holds the whanau together. How long have you been practicing Social Work? I completed my degree in 2015, I did not want to go straight into social work, I wanted something else and decided to work with elderly with dementia. So, I looked for a nursing home and applied as a healthcare assistant, I loved working there. Those beautiful souls taught me how to listen, with my eyes, because I am deaf. The environment suited me perfectly. When did you start working with the homeless? In 2019 I started my social work practice working with the homeless. This is where I learnt my trade, while there, I started to see a group of society slip through our health, community, justice, and income systems. This was the motivation for me to join Wellington Homeless Women’s Trust and Te Whare Nukunoa. Whanaungatanga, manakitanga, Wairua, and Aroha, are core to my values and beliefs. What motivates you as a Social Worker? Watching my Tuakana, (older female) Kaihana (cousins) and Whaea (aunties) go through the loss of a partner or end of a relationship was so sad to witness, the only thing I actually saw my Tuakana, Whaea accept as a healing process, was Aroha, Manakitanga, Wairua and Whanaungatanga. If not for them, I would not have gotten through my own personal grief with the loss of my husband in my mid 30’s. I feel I have come full circle and very humbled to be welcomed into Te Whare Nukunoa to work alongside the Wahine toa under the guidance of Wellington Homeless Women’s Trust. Many thanks Te Paki o matariki Neha Manihera SUPPORT OUR WAHINE

    • Whakawhanaungatanga — Fostering Relationships
      • Why is whakawhanaungatanga important for our wāhine at Te Whare Nukunoa? Whakawhanaungatanga plays a crucial role in the restorative approach to health and wellbeing implemented by Te Whare Nukunoa. These values create an environment where women can safely discuss their struggles, feel heard and take the time to express themselves. In this nurturing space, our dedicated staff gain a profound understanding of each individual's aspirations, enabling them to collaboratively formulate a detailed plan to address specific needs and concerns. With this guidance, women can chart the necessary steps to transition from being without a place to call home to their desired destinations Given the backdrop of abandonment and repeated disappointments experienced by many of our women, building trust is the optimal pathway forward to establishing a positive relationship. Our staff actively encourage tenants to engage with our services and partake in group W.A.L.K. activities, restoring faith that assistance and support is available for them. Whanaungatanga Whanaungatanga is the act of building and fostering positive relationships founded in trust. Built through shared experiences and working together to create a sense of belonging within a community – Strengthening obligations and responsibilities to establish roles within a community. It’s a process that focuses on cultivating a cohesive community that benefits the wider group rather than each individual. Whakawhanaungatanga Whakawhanaungatanga is centered around the process of how these relationships occur, how they are encouraged and established. This process includes drawing on aspects of whakapapa (genealogy) and practices such as manaakitanga (hospitality). The environment created provides a platform and the opportunity to express oneself, support positive and collaborative relationships, explore what is important, and help to co-construct aspirations and goals that continue to be revisited throughout the process. MAKE A DONATION

    • The hidden struggles of homeless women in Aotearoa
      • Women make up over 50% of Aotearoa’s homeless population. And yet they are often overlooked - because they aren’t seen. Advocates say unless gendered issues are specifically addressed, women will continue to fall through the gaps. Research shows women often face hidden challenges – living in cars, couch surfing, staying in abusive relationships, exchanging sex for a roof over their head, or living in overcrowded shelters. Safety is often the driver keeping women from sleeping on the streets, while many also have children – 81.4% of women compared to 61.7% of men. The general manager of Te Whare Nukunoa knows she’s hard on the women who stay at the whare. “I’m tough love,” Hiria Tareha says. Every woman’s experience was different, and that’s what she had in mind in her W.A.L.K programme at the 14-bedroom transitional housing in central Wellington: individualised, wraparound support, rooted in unearthing their aspirations and self-belief. The team works from a restorative approach rather than a punitive one. Tareha believes in empowerment; giving the women agency and tools needed to navigate the world in which they struggled to find their feet. “I don’t take no crap from these women but I’ll also let them know: we’re not your enemy. “They don’t think they’re worthy or valued.” It was difficult when they were constantly being judged and had to “beg” the convoluted system for help. Women with bracelets and addictions, transgender women who were often disproportionately impacted by homelessness, could call on their unique 24/7 service. Addictions are an illness that won’t be shaken off overnight. People’s troubles don’t go away after 5pm, Tareha says. But she frequently witnesses women get put in the “too hard basket” and given up on when they are most in need of support. Some would steal just to get caught because prison felt safer, she says. “They can’t get the help they need, they don’t know where to go, they’re breaking every rule in the book and they just continue their patterns – but what else can they do?” Tareha hates the idea that people need to “fit a criteria” to get help. The lack of support and follow-through is what gets the women deeper into their circumstances, she says. “It’s not that these women are uneducated… They’re smart, they’re streetwise and they’re survivors.” It is also what often made them more invisible. Article Written by Hanna McCallum Reporter - Social Issues (The Post) Photography by David Unwin (The Post) MAKE A DONATION Permalink

    • ‘Shine a Light’ on the drivers of homelessness amongst wāhine in Aotearoa
      • What drives homelessness? And, why are homeless women’s experiences harder to spot than men? Did you know homeless wāhine are disproportionately affected by mental illness, substance abuse and chronic diseases in comparison to those who are not homeless? Homelessness can present in many different forms, and the drivers are just as complex and unique to each individual. “When women are referred to our sanctuary, it’s important we gain a holistic understanding of the environmental, social, mental and financial pressures that lead them to homelessness,” says Hiria Tareha, General Manager of WHWT. “Often women have come from violent or unstable pasts, experienced poverty, and are the sole carer for a child or family.” A major role our Trust plays is breaking women’s unhealthy behaviours, whether that is unstable and abusive relationships, addiction or negative behavioural patterns. How are homeless women’s experiences different from men? Wāhine experiencing homelessness often hold specific needs and experiences that are distinct from men. This can include being involved in family violence, trauma, and/or having primary responsibility for children. The effects of homelessness on wāhine can also flow through to children and wider whānau and may be caused or exacerbated by the gendered nature of parenthood. Research from the United Kingdom identified that wāhine may turn to substance abuse and prostitution as ways to survive while homeless, creating a need for specific health support. Hiria Tareha, the General Manager of WHWT says “A big part of our programme, which involves qualified professionals, is building our wāhine’s self-worth, independence and ability to take control of their lives.” The limited research available does tell us women are seeking support. However, the systems available are failing to cater to their unique experiences. “Our sanctuary gives women a chance to get back on their feet, take the wheel and drive a lifestyle they’re proud of through an interwoven support network” says Hiria Tareha - General Manager of WHWT. Join us in raising awareness about homelessness amongst wāhine in Aotearoa. Together, let's shine a light on this critical issue and make a difference! Link to the full report: www.whwt.org.nz/journal/allen-and-clarke-2022-review #MakeItVisable #ShineALight #Wāhine #Homelessness #Aotearoa MAKE A DONATION

    • 2023 | Z’s ‘Good In The Hood’
      • Get Ready to Vote! We are super excited to announce that Wellington Homeless Women's Trust has been selected by our favorite Wellington Z stations to take part in this year's 'Good in the Hood' community donation by Z Energy. From the 25th September to the 23rd October, you'll be able to place your vote in-store with every token you receive with every purchase at your local Z station. A slice of 1 million dollars will go towards supporting our important community mahi, so we can support more wahine who need our service. We will be represented at the following Locations: Z Mana Z Petone Z Trentham Z Johnsonville Keep an eye out and support us by sharing your vote! Every token counts! The more votes we get, the bigger our slice. Little Token. Big Impact. Z is for New Zealand, so it just makes sense to support the things that matter in our local communities. That's why they created Good in the Hood. Since it launched in 2013, Z Service Stations have been able to donate almost $10 million to local groups who are doing great things right across Aotearoa, New Zealand. They will be donating $1 million to local charities and community groups in 2023, with our customers able to vote for their favourites when they visit us. How it works Through Good in the Hood, each of Z’s service stations will be giving away a total of $4,000 at every site. Customers who shop in store are given an orange token to pop in one of the four boxes, voting for their favourite local group. The money is split between all participating groups based on the number of votes each receives. In addition to the $4,000 every Z service station has an additional $1000 to be used by local retailers throughout the year to support other neighbourhood initiatives. Z’s team will announce the results in November 2023, so you can see the impact your vote had. MAKE A DONATION

    • Rotary Club of Port Nicholson Fundraiser
      • Casino Night On the 19th of August, the Port Nicholson Rotary Club hosted an annual fundraising event that was dedicated to raising funds to support Wellington Homeless Women's Trust and the wāhine we serve. The event was centered around generating enough funds to build up 50x 'Transition Kits' that would support our wāhine. These kits would be made up of basic appliances like kettles or toasters and essential bedding to reduce the financial stress of having to start from scratch when transitioning from Te Whare Nukunoa into a place of their own. The Casino-themed night was filled with lively conversations, fun casino games, hilarious horse races, drinks, and delicious finger food. To add to the excitement, our General Manager, Hiria, won a major prize in the raffle, making the evening even more memorable! As the Rotary Clubs charity of choice for 2023, the team at Wellington Homeless Women's Trust would love to extend our appreciation to those who attended the Casino Night and thank everyone who donated throughout the evening for their generosity. Support from Rotary Club creates a brighter future for those struggling in our community and makes life a little easier for those transitioning from Te Whare Nukunoa to their own homes. These transition kits will provide a strong foundation for their new beginnings. Thank you once again for your compassion and support. Together, we're making a real difference in the lives of those who need it most. MAKE A DONATION

    • ‘Shine A Light’ on wāhine experiencing Homelessness in Aotearoa
      • Bringing the stats of wāhine and homelessness into the light Did you know that according to census results in 2018, wāhine account for 50.5% of severely housing-deprived people? This year we are seeing the numbers of wāhine needing our services rising. As part of our advocacy campaign, we’re shining a light on the struggles homeless wāhine face, the reality of homelessness and how the Wellington Homeless Women’s Trust supports women who find themselves in these situations, which are more common than many people think. How can homelessness present for wāhine? Research by Allen + Clarke found that homeless wāhine often live in tents or cars, ‘couch surf’ or sleep in waiting rooms instead of sleeping on the street like homeless men typically do. Wāhine may move around frequently to find new or safer places to sleep. Wāhine tend to rely on overcrowded shelters, stay with violent partners, or exchange sex for accommodation in order to stay off the street. This means they are not as easily identified in traditional counts of homelessness statistics compared to men, who are more commonly situated in places and spaces where their need for help is more visible. Board Chair of Wellington Homeless Women’s Trust, Jo Cribb says “I’m often asked, why the Wellington Women’s Homeless Trust? Why dedicate a service to supporting solely wāhine? Well, it's obvious in many ways. Wāhine experiences of homelessness are different from men’s experiences.” The prevalence of wāhine homelessness is also often inadequately captured in official statistics and qualitative research as they are often invisible to the services designed to support them. What do the statistics say? In 2021, a study of a 390 person Housing First (a social housing initiative) cohort identified that 210 (53.8%) were wāhine. The study also identified that 73.1% of the cohort were Māori, and wāhine were much more likely to have children, with 81.4% having children compared to 61.7% of men. Wāhine were also more likely to have four or more children than men. Most wāhine in the Housing First cohort were aged 25-44 which is also the age range where wāhine are most likely to be responsible for children. This figure hits home as it correlates with what we see in our whare, where the average age for women in need is about 36 years of age. Statistics on homelessness among wāhine are potentially limited by the fact that it is often hidden from plain sight and characterised by unstable or unsafe living arrangements. “Wāhine do not have to be invisible. Help us shine a light on wāhine homelessness by joining us over the next few months as we raise awareness for a topic that has for too long been in the dark,” says Hiria Tareha Find out more about WHWT: www.whwt.org.nz/services Link to full report: www.whwt.org.nz/journal/allen-and-clarke-2022-review #WHWT #MakeItVisable #ShineALight #Wāhine #Homelessness #Aotearoa MAKE A DONATION

    • Blanket Drive | Share The Warmth
      • Keep our wāhine warm this winter. As the winter winds blow cold and the frosty mornings grow darker, let's not forget about our wāhine in need – on the streets or on the move and in poor housing situations. Your blanket donation will provide much-needed warmth and comfort to many homeless women fighting the cold this winter. Let’s share the warmth and show them they are not alone. Brand New or Gently Used, all we ask for is quality woollen blankets of a decent size to help us make a difference. Every blanket helps! DONATE BLANKETS DOWNLOAD POSTER

    • 2022 Review | Allen and Clarke
      • Allen and Clarke’s literature review for Wellington Homeless Women’s Trust to determine what is the international best practice for interventions that support secure homes for homeless wāhine, particularly those who are high-risk with complex needs. Review | Allen and Clarke In 2022, we worked with Allen and Clarke on a literature review to determine the international best practices for working with high-risk women with complex needs experiencing homelessness. With growing our services in mind, we will use the findings in this report to help guide the development of our services in order to provide the best possible care to those in our community who need it most. We would love to give a huge thank you to Allen and Clarke (especially Ellie McKenzie and Sophie Kean) for their dedication, generosity and the large number of hours they put in to complete this review for us. We are very fortunate to have been chosen to participate in their Annual Programme. For more information about their Pro Bono Programme, please check out their website: https://www.allenandclarke.co.nz/pro-bono-programme/ Read Review

    • Job Alert: Social Worker
      • Social Worker (Full-time / Part-Time) As a Social Worker, you will ensure our service will be delivered in an ethical, clinically appropriate, accountable and safe way. This will be done in accordance with our core values, Codes, Policies and Procedures and mandatory requirements of the Wellington Homeless Women’s Trust. Most women who stay with us experience homelessness as a result of historical trauma, family harm, sexual abuse, mental unwellness, varying addictions or disconnection from whanau. This has an overall impact on their personal health & well-being. As a Social Worker, you will play a pivotal role in working alongside each tenant to develop an individualised support plan using our W.A.L.K Program framework. You will also assist in rebuilding their confidence, regaining their independence and self-worth. Our primary goal is to transition all tenants to a safe place they can call 'home’, while also giving them the life skills needed to live on their own successfully. The team at Te Whare Nukunoa feel very privileged to be working alongside our most vulnerable wahine and to share the many positive changes made through each individual's journey. Key Responsibilities: Social Worker will arrange a pre-assessment interview to identify any at-risk concerns which may hinder their ability to live independently in permanent housing. Referrals made to external or other specialist services are required. Provide regular and accurate reports to the General Manager including but not limited to statistics and outcomes achieved. Full tenant engagement is to be encouraged always. Assistance with basic life skills to support living independently. Encourage tenants to engage with external agencies such as for gambling, drug & alcohol or associated health professionals. Motivate women towards employment and training. Provide advocacy with Work and Income NZ (WINZ) and all social housing providers. Contribute to other training or educational programmes as required Provide quality service and ensure a high standard of professionalism is maintained at all times. Qualifications: Holds a certificate in Social Work, Health Care, Housing or recognised equivalent. Experience in working for or with Government is a bonus. Skills & Experience: The ideal candidate is someone who has experience in the following: Social outreach programs locally, internationally or similar. Managing accommodation/housing within the homeless sector. Working with key Government agencies. Have an understanding of relevant legislation, standards and guidelines pertaining to the homeless sector. Experience working with Māori providers, Whānau, Hapū and Iwi. Key relationships within the social development sector. Embrace Te Ao Māori components in all aspects of their role. Perks of the Job: Parking Available in the CBD Access to W.A.L.K. Programme Activities throughout the week Access to Gym/Swimming Pool Membership Access to company car Work Laptop Flexible work hours (to be negotiated) We look forward to receiving your application! Applications close May 31st Hiria Lee Tareha General Manager (04) 384 7870 info@whwt.org.nz Permalink

    • Road Trip to Whanganui River
      • Earlier this year, 10 of our wāhine and 4 staff went on a retreat for self-healing and reflection, to Hiruhārama Jerusalem on the Whanganui River. This settlement holds a rich history and beauty. It is a tiny settlement 66 kilometres up the Whanganui River Road. It was originally called Patiarero and was one of the biggest settlements on the Whanganui River in the 1840’s with several hundred Ngāti Hau inhabitants of the iwi Te Āti Haunui a Pāpārangi. Focus for the trip: Be outside of the everyday environment The aim of this is to provide an opportunity for wāhine to escape their usual surroundings and experience something different. By doing so, the aim is to create a sense of excitement and adventure that can lead to personal growth and discovery. Build confidence and giving the opportunity to try new things Trying new things and being open to failing the first time at something can be a great learning experience. You may develop new skills or find talents you never knew you had. By creating an environment where our women are encouraged to try new activities and overcome difficult situations, building confidence in their own abilities which will help improve other areas of their lives. Provide opportunities to step outside of their comfort zone Stepping outside of one's comfort zone is scary, but it’s the only way to truly experience personal growth and discover new strengths and abilities. By participating in activities that may be new or uncomfortable, our wāhine can push themselves to overcome obstacles with support from others and achieve a sense of accomplishment. Create an atmosphere for positive relationships with each other and staff By providing a supportive and caring environment, our wāhine have the opportunity to cultivate positive relationships with each other and build trust with our staff. Trust is foundational to being part of a healthy community, which is beneficial for personal growth and healing. Experience wellness – ihi, wehi, wana, tau te rangimarie (thrill of life, exhilaration of life, awe of life, peace, grounding, relaxation) The focus on wellness is important as it provides an opportunity for wāhine to learn how to recharge and rejuvenate. Experiencing the thrill and awe of life through activities and nature, as well as finding peace and grounding. Relaxation can be a transformative experience that feeds personal wellbeing and connection. Reflection, learning self-awareness and how to interact with others Reflection is part of moving on from the past. By allowing for self-awareness and reflection, our wāhine gain insight into themselves, their behaviours and their interactions with others. Identifying areas where focussed growth enables them to make positive changes in their lives. Exploring Hiruharama brought feelings of nostalgia, peace, and awe. Everyone enjoyed the experience taking in the peacefulness of the house, the antique furnishings and the clean lush surroundings. Tash, our senior staff member shared the whakapapa of the land, her tupuna – tangata whenua who donated the land the convent is built on, the sisters that ran the establishment and the strong relationship that was built between the tangata whenua and the church. One of our wāhine said with a huge smile, “I was raised Catholic”, another said, “This is just what I needed, did you know there’s a chapel here, I wanted to take my mattress in there to sleep but got a slap in the face”, someone said “the hair on the arms were standing”. Another read all the posters and information about the convent and said, “I’ve never read so fast in my life”. There were wāhine who were up early every morning taking in the ahua of the area and others asked, “do you believe that prayers get answered?”, then said, “I prayed that we could stay another night”. Another said, “I wish we could live here”. Over the two-night stay, everyone took part in communal cooking and cleaning. Every night we ate together with lots of good korero and laughs. Because the house was so big, there were great spaces to relax if you wanted to be on your own or other communal areas where we had lots of rich korero with wāhine sharing their experiences of their mental health and addiction journeys. We all got comfort in knowing others had had similar experiences and that they were not alone. One of our wāhine shared that she had 12 years’ experience working in the mental health system and her personal experience of mental health and addictions. She shared valuable knowledge about navigating the mental health system and what it’s like engaging with psychiatrists. The next morning, those who woke up early went for a walk around the grounds while the others slept in. We found out that our River Tour was canceled due to bad weather, so breakfast flowed late into the morning. After breakfast, we had a big clean up and a little downtime while the karaoke machine was set up. At first only the more confident wāhine sang, but with some time and encouragement, it didn’t take long before we all got the confidence to give it a go and ended up singing our hearts out for the next few hours! As the rain subsided that afternoon, seven of us took a drive to Raetihi which was about an hour’s drive from Hiruharama to the local pools. The pools there were cold, and three of the wāhine refused to jump in. The pool attendant was kind enough to called some of the surrounding lodges in Ohakune to see if a hot pool was available. Unfortunately, there was no availability until 6pm so we decided to stay put. We spend a couple of hours diving, bombing, swimming, and having fun fare! After all that, only two of us didn’t end up jumping in but enjoyed watching. Later that night after dinner, we played board games in teams which was hilarious. One particular staff member had the house in hysterics with her friendly banter and borderline cheating antics. We watched a documentary about the work of the Sisters of Compassion with some choosing to bring their mattresses into the lounge for marae style sleeping. Not being able to take the River Tour staff thought it would be a good idea to give the women the experience of staying in a Yurt at Ohakune for an extra night. The tenants were excited by the idea – joking that prayers do come true! The next day we got up early and had breakfast together and made our way home to Poneke, stopping in Taihape to take a photo with the famous gumboot. And later arriving back at Te Whare Nukunoa later that day, pooped from a long day in the car and ready to start a new week. To make more trips like this happen, please consider supporting us by making a donation. These trips would not be possible without community donations and wider funding efforts. By donating, you are giving someone the opportunity to improve their situation by experiencing something they thought may never be possible. It also enables WHWT to provide the best possible service we can to our wāhine and set them up for a future they can control. Homelessness is a by-product of much bigger contributing issues – mental health, physical health, generational trauma, environmental and many societal issues. Trips like these take wāhine away from these negative influences and highlight the potential for a brighter future – they have a significant impact on our wāhine that will be with them long after their time with us. Thank you to all donors for your generosity and for enabling us to continue our meaningful mahi. DONATE TO SUPPORT

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