Recently, one of our Budget Facilitators, Christine, helped support a local mum of four through a situation that had become incredibly stressful.

Family violence leaves deep harm in homes and across communities, and Wellington Mayor Andrew Little says the response cannot be left to one service alone.

Porirua Whānau Centre has received resource consent to build 22 new social housing units on its Tremewan Street site, expanding access to warm, modern homes for local whānau.

Nearly $14,000 in debt has been wiped for a Porirua mother of four, ending months of financial strain and pressure from debt collectors. The turnaround follows sustained advocacy from Porirua Whānau Centre Budgeting Facilitator Christine.

When a local mother was told her Kāinga Ora home was being sold, she had just 90 days to leave the place her whānau had lived in for nearly 22 years. What followed was a stressful and uncertain period. Working part time, she suddenly had to navigate complex systems involving Kāinga Ora and MSD, while also gathering medical information and meeting strict requirements.

Over the past few months, I’ve had many kōrero with parents who are doing everything they can to keep things steady for their tamariki.

Prevention remains at the heart of building strong, resilient communities, and we’re pleased that our mahi will continue under the Resilience and Organised Crime in Communities (ROCC) funding.

On 15 February, many of us felt the force of nature in a way we won’t soon forget.

The severe winds and heavy rainfall that swept across the Greater Wellington Region (described as the strongest winds in a decade) left trees down, roofs rattling, and thousands of homes without power.

When he first walked into Te Huringa ō Te Ao, he wasn’t quite sure what to expect. A mate had invited him along, so that made it easier.

Keeping investment in Porirua was not an afterthought in the renovation of Porirua Whānau Centre’s social houses, it was the starting point.

I hope the summer break gave you the chance to slow down, breathe a little deeper, and spend time with the people and places that matter most.

Porirua Whānau Centre is stepping in with early, targeted support to help tamariki who are beginning to struggle at school or feel disconnected from their community.

In recent months, kaimahi at Porirua Whānau Centre have been taking part in de-escalation training with Lance Burdett – a facilitator who works at the intersection of wellbeing, neuroscience, and human connection.

As we head toward the end of the year, it’s a good chance to pause and look back at everything our Whānau Centre has been part of over the past few months..

When Anne Percival lost her best friend Vicky in June 2024, her world suddenly felt unsteady.

“We’d known each other since we were little,” Anne says.

At the Porirua Whānau Centre, swimming lessons are more than just another holiday activity.

They’re a commitment born from loss, community concern and a determination to protect future generations.

When NASA aerospace engineer Mana Vautier (Ngāi Tahu, Te Arawa, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kahungunu) stepped into the Porirua Whānau Centre, he brought more than stories of rockets and astronauts.

He brought a message of hope, humility, and perseverance.

Last week brought us Mental Health Awareness Week (6-12 October).

It’s a good reminder that mental wellbeing should be critical part of all our lives, individually, as whānau, and as a community.

Expanding support for rough sleepers is an important step towards ensuring more whānau have access to safe, stable housing, says the Porirua Whānau Centre.

This year marked the 50th Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori – Māori Language Week, and kaumātua came together to honour the milestone in a way that reflected both tradition and revitalisation.

As has now become tradition, our kaumātua celebrated with a hangi prepared especially for the occasion.