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From couch surfing to a place to call home

After years of couch surfing with friends’ and family and living in a pup tent, James (Ngāti Porou, Tūhoe) finally has a place to call home. Couch surfing might sound fun when you’re travelling on a budget, but it’s a very different story when it’s the only way to have a bed for years. “I still have

Neighbourly support during Cyclone Gabrielle

Looking out for each other. That was the natural reaction to the challenges faced during Cyclone Gabrielle from residents in a group of five Kāinga Ora homes in Green Meadows, Napier. was found safe and sound. That’s when I saw how all the residents had come together as a community to support each other. It was really heart-warming to see them

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. Resources to run its Christchurch-based ‘Money and Kai’ programme, which focuses on things such as menu planning and easy meal preparation. Christchurch tenant Colin

Making cooking a breeze – Whanganui community gets inspired to eat well on a budget

From busy lives to raising a family, many people struggle to find the time or inspiration to cook healthy, nutritious meals within a budget for themselves and their whānau. , what was on the menu? Everything from enchiladas and cottage pie to keema curry with rice and spaghetti Bolognese. All four meals were made with the same base

Fresh vegetables from home on Kabonye’s Christmas menu

Kabonye has only lived in her Kāinga Ora home for a month, but her flourishing vegetable garden suggests otherwise. Every inch of the soil behind her brand-new home in West Auckland is sprouting fresh produce; neat rows of kale, onion, spinach and courgette are all thriving

New home and city brings new lease of life

Almost a year after moving into his new Christchurch home, Alex is still counting his blessings. they can hold sessions that focus on menu planning and cooking. “The community development work is so important and we’re slowly building a community here…we’re

Density and amenity go hand in hand

Sue Evans, urban designer for our flagship Community Lane development in Avondale, talks about the design elements that are helping turn the medium-density development into a community. , shops, restaurants, workplaces and multi-purpose green spaces. Done well, density can help create thriving communities; but this doesn’t happen accidentally

YouTube, emojis and surfing the web – Neta is queen of them all

Senior customer Neta has become a confident queen of emojis since taking part in a digital literacy course at her Kāinga Ora complex in South Auckland. Neta and nine of her neighbours were invited by Kāinga Ora to join a free, 8-week digital literacy course run in partnership with 360 Tautua Trust, an

A place to put down roots

Just a few weeks after moving into their newly renovated home in Greymouth, Michelle and Ché have settled in so well that they’re already planning their new garden. “We’re going to dig a garden out back. I bought a lemon tree the other day and I have a couple of camellia trees. We’re also going to have to paint our picnic

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, one New Plymouth man is looking forward to brighter days. 11 December 2025 From couch surfing to a place to call home After years of couch surfing with friends

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