/ Our tenant stories

Our tenant stories

Our tenants have extraordinary stories to tell and we’re proud to highlight those who are helping make their community a great place to live.

Thriving at Te Mātāwai – Jane’s first year

One year on and Jane who was the first tenant to move into Te Mātāwai is thriving and learning new skills in this unique development.

Future looks bright again thanks to new home

For Amye, her new Kāinga Ora home in Dunedin means she can live her life how she wants and get back to what she loves doing – working.

Tali and Tui’s boxfit sessions are a knockout

Tali and Tui are leading the charge for fitness and wellbeing in their Kāinga Ora apartment complex in Auckland. Most afternoons you can find them at the complex’s community room where they lead free boxfit coaching sessions – and the local children can’t get enough!

Adventuring guinea pig inspires childhood tale

Nelson author Caroline’s special childhood friend, Norman Guinea Pig, is living on in the pages of a children’s book she has written in her retirement.

Family put financial challenges behind them and set sights on first home

After struggling for years to keep on top of their bills, Larry and Lave have sorted their finances and set their sights on buying their own home.

Edith reaches 100th birthday milestone

For 100-year old Edith, the secret to a long life is simple; drink lots of water, eat your vegetables, and try to be kind.

A home to help the healing

After a tough year fighting cancer, Jean is overjoyed to have recently moved into a new five-bedroom home in Rotorua with her children.

Home is where the heart is

A place to call home is something Ruwayda and her seven children have longed for since arriving in New Zealand two years ago. Originally sharing three rooms in a motel to now living in their very own Kāinga Ora home, they are feeling happy and content.

Christchurch customers connect over kai

Fried rice and pita bread pizzas were just some of the culinary delights on the menu when tenants at a Kāinga Ora complex in Christchurch took part in a free course that offers tips on how to cook on a budget.

Bookworm Janette opened a library for her neighbours

When Janette moved into her new Kāinga Ora home, she set up a library for all her neighbours.

New home a ‘weight lifted off shoulders’ for Len

When 69-year-old Len faced a major hurdle after a hip operation, the Kāinga Ora team sprang into action to secure a home for the Hamilton-based customer that met his mobility and accessibility needs.