From 90 days’ notice to a place to call home

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.

“I had no idea,” she says. “After being in a property for almost 22 years … it was quite tricky doing it on my own.”

Although Kāinga Ora was responsible for rehousing her, the process was difficult to understand. She found herself caught between agencies, struggling to make sense of what was being asked.

“They spoke like a totally different language,” she says. At times, the experience left her feeling “really small” and overwhelmed.

Her greatest fear was homelessness.

“My children really thought that we were going to be homeless, and I really thought we were going to be homeless.”

After being directed to Porirua Whānau Centre, she connected with staff members Aggie and Christine. That support marked a turning point.

Aggie stepped in as an advocate, helping her understand the system, organise information, and communicate clearly with agencies.

“She became like my advocate, really… someone I could say, ‘I have no idea what I’m doing.’”

With experience working alongside services like MSD and Kāinga Ora, Aggie helped ensure her situation was properly understood. She supported her in conversations, clarified misunderstandings, and encouraged her to keep asking questions.

That support made a practical and emotional difference. “It made me feel a bit more confident about the direction that I was going in,” she says.

Christine also provided guidance around budgeting and financial options, helping her prepare for the possibility of private renting if needed.

The journey was emotionally taxing. There were “lots of tears” and heightened anxiety, and the pressure strained family relationships. But with steady support, the whānau found a way forward.

“At least we’ve got a roof over our heads now,” she says. “We’re slowly working through that adjustment.”

Looking back, she is clear about the impact of that support. “I couldn’t have done it without Aggie and Christine.”

She now encourages others facing difficult situations to reach out. “I would recommend the whānau services to anyone that needs support.”