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Leana's mission to share her passion for growing kai with her community

Leana’s passion for growing kai was given to her by her late grandfather, who had the ‘green thumb’ within her whānau. He inspired her to share the love for growing kai not only with her young children, but also with her wider community. Leana and her two children, aged 10 and 2, have been Kāinga Ora customers in Palmerston North for over ten years. Leana always grew food in her own garden, but

National Volunteer Week – shining a light on our volunteer superstars

It’s National Volunteer Week in Aotearoa and we’re putting the spotlight on some of our incredible customers who share their skills, expertise and time with others to help make their communities great places to live.
Check out just some of these great stories below Rose from Auckland –      Many people think about giving back to their community, but at age 80, Rose has made it her life’s mission to help

Te is a creative force in her community

Since moving into Kāinga Ora apartment complex Te Mātāwai, Te has become known for her creativity and leadership skills. Naturally artistic, Te can lend her hand to most arts and crafts. She crochets, and her new favourite past times are photography and print making. These are

Mere's heart of gold transforms lives

For more than five decades Mere has been opening her heart - and her home - to children in need of a safe, welcoming place to stay. It was 1970 when Mere, who had only recently lost her husband, agreed to foster two Dunedin children. Fast-forward 53-years and Mere, now aged 80, is still

New homes create a community of more than just neighbours

A Kāinga Ora home can mean so much more than just a roof over someone’s head. Tracy, who uses a wheelchair, her move to the home has also meant she can live in an environment that caters to her needs. “Before we moved here, we were living

Community comes together to celebrate momentous occasion

It was a time of celebration in Tauranga when our customer Sylvia recently celebrated her 100th birthday. A small party was held in her garden with a banquet of sweet and savoury treats and decorations displayed across the marquee. Her closest neighbours and friends were invited to come along to help celebrate the momentous occasion. Sylvia says she is close with her next-door neighbours

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

Aaliyah’s stars are aligning for success

Young mother Aaliyah works extremely hard to give her children a good life. And now that they have a bigger home, there is enough room for family life as well as study. Aaliyah is pulling out the stops to create a wonderful life for her family. As well as caring for her two beautiful young children and supporting her teenage

Thrift and connection – Diana inspires her neighbours

Avid knitter Diana has discovered an innovative way to use discarded plastic - she knits it into eye-catching bags and phone cases, which she gifts and sells within her community. works hard to create connection and encourage resourcefulness within the North Shore neighbourhood she’s called home since 1968. And true to her compassionate

New home, new outlook on life

Cece felt like she’d struck it lucky when she walked into her new Kāinga Ora home in Christchurch after living in emergency housing. “When they showed me the house I was crying. I felt like I was living in a dream and that I’d won Lotto. I moved in here on December 17 just in time for

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