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155 transitional home helps wāhine rise in housing and happiness

From the outside 155 Whare Āwhina’s transitional home is unassuming, no different to any of its neighbouring houses along the quiet suburban Whangārei street. However, for the select few who spend time within its walls, this house holds deep significance as a welcoming haven full of awhi and hope.Since opening in February 2022, it has been a safe haven for 20 women who have been through the toughest of times – those who are homeless, sleeping in cars, or in situations of danger - and ...

Tune In: Māori Land Court Online Webinar Series

Kia ora e te iwi,Our 155 Community Law Taitokerau team is partnering with Te Kooti Whenua Māori to host a series of webinars relevant to succession, whenua Māori and trusts, and the new online portal, Pataka Whenua. Māori land and successionWednesday 18 October, 6pm-7.30pmRegister hereWhenua Māori and trusts Wednesday 1 November, 6pm-7.30pmMore infoPātaka Whenua online portalWednesday 15 November, 6pm-7.30pmMore infoFeel free to register and we look forward to seeing you online.Ma...

World Homeless Day: More awhi needed for Northland rangatahi

It was World Homeless Day on 10 October so we joined the Rough Sleepers Collective, Whangarei at Canopy Bridge in the Town Basin to help raise awareness of the issue in our region. The 155 Whare Āwhina team was present to highlight the many taitamariki in Taitokerau facing homelessness, and provide information on our housing services.The need for a night shelter in Whangārei is topical and we support those advocating for one to be established independently and separate to our 155 Open Arm...

155 Whare Kai calls for shelf sponsors: We’re running on empty

Whangārei’s busy social supermarket is calling on local businesses and community donors to help keep their shelves stocked as they mark their first birthday....

Tapping into talents of our most incredible resource: mothers

Māmā Moving Mountains is a māmā-driven collective that inspires whānau to aspire by creating opportunities."We are doing this by looking at their dreams, aspirations and desires and then supporting them with the resources to make it a reality,” says coordinator Shirleyanne Brown. Participants, who often face similar challenges and share the same aspirations, come together each week to support and celebrate who they are.“It’s a lovely nurturing place for wāhine to realise and sh...

Whangārei youth homelessness worse, not better

Nearly 8,000 New Zealanders are supporting a Manaaki Rangatahi petition calling for the end of youth homelessness.Manaaki Rangatahi is New Zealand’s only youth housing and homelessness collective, which we are a proud member of. The petition is seeking urgent funding and resources to provide short- and long-term accommodation for young people affected by homelessness.Bleak picture of youth homelessness in WhangāreiWe led a research project with youth advocates in Whangāre...

More Northland food producers invited to join food rescue mission

155 Food Rescue Northland has unveiled a refreshed brand and plea to local food producers following a whakawātea onsite at their Woods Road warehouse on Friday, 16 June.  155 Whakaora Kai manager Pete Nicholas says the changes are a fitting reflection of their community kaupapa.“Since 2017, we’ve been working hard to reduce food insecurity and the environmental impact of food waste across our region. Our new name reflects our role as a kaupapa Māori provider, and the fresh look s...

Seeking volunteers: 155 Whare Kai

Location3 Woods Road, WhangāreiHoursMorning shift: 9am to 12pm Monday to ThursdayAfternoon shift: 12.30pm to 2.30pm Monday to ThursdayAre you friendly, able to get along with others and work as part of a team? We are seeking reliable volunteers who are physically able to stock low shelves and lift up to 15kg. Some of the duties involve:1.       Stocking shelves, refrigerators and freezer ensuring stock rotation.2.       Cleaning t...

Seeking volunteers: 155 Whakaora Kai

Location1 Woods Road, WhangāreiHours12.30pm to 3pm Monday to FridayWhakaora Kai is the only organisation of its kind in Taitokerau, collecting surplus food from growers and retailers and giving it to groups that need it most, including food banks, schools, marae, and churches.Would you like to be part of our team? We're looking for volunteers to help in afternoons between 12.30pm and 3pm to support the smooth running of our operations. Key tasks could include:1. Assisting the tea...

Seeking volunteers: 155 Open Arms

Location155 Open Arms Hub, Cnr Robert St and Walton St, WhangāreiHours8.30am to 1pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.Know your way around a kitchen? We're seeking friendly volunteers to support the safe and efficient functioning of the kitchen and dining area at our busy Open Arms hub. In this role you can help with serving lunch, ensuring the dining room is kept tidy and supplies are topped up (milk, cups, spoons, tea, coffee, sugar), wiping down tables before and after lunch, v...

Liz talks Budget 2023

I’m not at all surprised at what’s been flagged for Taitokerau in Budget 2023. The absence of targeted assistance for social housing, especially youth housing, and homelessness is disappointing but it has made us more determined as an organisation to make change for our communities. Three thousand more public homes for Aotearoa is not enough. We need far more than this in our region alone. Northland is an after-thought and homelessness is a huge issue up here. In March, I had ...

Free Evening Legal Clinics

We're excited to be co-hosting regular free evening legal clinics in partnership with Ngāti Hine Health Trust. Anyone is welcome to come along to have your legal questions answered or if you are seeking information and/or advice.It is a welcoming environment where referrals can be made for those who are struggling to navigate the complex legal system.No appointments necessary. Related: Whangārei junior lawyer offering free legal advice alongside community service providers...

Second place for 155 at Waka Ama corporate challenge

The team kicked off 2023 with a silver medal win at the Waka Ama Sprint Nationals at Lake Karaprio in January. It was a last minute decision to participate in the Waka Ama Corporate Challenge, with 12 of our kaimahi agreeing to give it a go.This was the first year 155 Whare Āwhina competed in the challenge. We had no opportunity to train but our kaimahi worked together progressing through the three heats to make the final. Our final competition race was tough and the 155 Whare Āwhina...

Couch in central Whangārei puts spotlight on homelessness

Monday 10 October was World Homeless Day so we placed a couch outside 155 Open Arms to raise awareness of the taitamariki across Taitokerau facing homelessness.Read the full story in the Northern Advocate. ...

Introducing 155 Whare Kai, A Social Supermarket For Whangārei

The social supermarket is a partnership between 155 Whare Āwhina and Foodstuffs North Island. Social supermarkets enable people who are experiencing food insecurity to choose what they need for themselves in a supermarket-style environment – rather than collecting a pre-filled food parcel from the foodbank, that might not meet their specific needs. 155 Whare Āwhina’s CEO Liz Cassidy-Nelson says today is an exciting day for 155 Whare Āwhina and their community whānau. “Here at 155, we d...

Whangārei’s first social supermarket set to open

As part of its commitment to be Here for NZ and a promise to provide New Zealanders with access to healthy affordable food and supporting communities to thrive, Foodstuffs North Island – the 100% New Zealand owned and operated co-operatives behind PAK’nSAVE, New World and Four Square – is expanding its innovative social supermarket initiative with us! Our social supermarket will be located at 3 Woods Road in Whangārei and will be an extension of the wrap-round community services - such as...

Join us at the 6th Annual Affordable Housing Development & Investment Summit | 30-31 August

Liz is an aspirational leader who is inspired by and constantly learning from those who walk through our doors here at 155.  Visitors are always welcomed with open arms and Liz says it is whānau who give her a better understanding of the real issues faced by our communities. With permission, Liz can use her position to share with other community services and leaders what is really happening out there – “that’s why I’m here"....

Meet our whānau: Carol Peters

Carol is our Community Development Coordinator whose ties to 155 run deep; she is 155's former  coordinator who has been involved with 155 since its infancy.  Her desire to contribute to Whangārei being a better place to live is unwavering. She holds a PhD in Community-led development and is dedicated to supporting individuals, marae komiti and community groups to achieve their goals. In 2018, she was awarded the Queens Service Medal for her work in the community. ...

Meet our whānau: Lyn Hadrup

What is your role with 155? I am the Team Leader at 155 Open Arms and oversee the running of the day centre, ensuring each of our services are supported well in supporting our whānau. Can you share three words you’d use to describe 155 Whare Āwhina? Awhi (support), manaakitanga (respect), whakapapa (connection). What do you enjoy most about working at 155? The whanaungatanga (inclusive) spirit in which our whānau and staff work alongside each other every day.  Who inspires you?  D...

COVID-19 Omicron response: How we're operating

We're reducing contact as much as possible during the current RED Alert Level. Here's what you need to know:  155 Open Arms is offering takeaway meals at 11am each day. 155 Food Bank is open Monday and Friday, 9.30am - 12.30pm. Requests will be by phone with pick up times allocated and through providers. We can provide brief face-to-face contact in exceptional circumstances, such as if you have no phone. 155 Housing and Whānau Support continue with outreach services and brief face to ...

Community project gives voice to Whangārei’s hidden homeless

Whangārei community health leader Ngaire Rae is steering the 155 Whare Awhina-led project, which is calling on 16 to 24-year-olds across the district to participate in an anonymous survey. “When people think about homelessness, they don’t realise how much an issue it is for young people as it tends to be hidden. “Young people who go from house to house might not consider themselves homeless, because they’ve always got a place to sleep, but they don’t have their own home,” says Rae. ...

Do you know your legal rights during Covid-19 response?

Community Law has answered the most frequently asked questions relating to NZ government's COVID-19 law changes.  Select the area of Law you need to know about below: Employment Income support and benefits Immigration If you need further assistance or advice, please give our legal team a call on 0800 155 529. Remember to stay safe and look out for one another (from a distance). Kia haumaru te noho!...

Can you help us furnish our transitional whare?

Work is underway turning a house not far from our whare on Kamo Road into a much-needed transitional home. This home will provide accommodation and support for individuals or whānau in Whanāgrei who are in urgent need for a place to stay. We will soon be furnishing and fitting it out - and we're looking for funds to help us purchase good quality, new items that will make it a home. Our list includes; a hand mixer, electric frypan, crockpot, rice cooker, sandwich maker, blender, jugs, toasters,...

Te Hiku TV: Local Māmā Officially Launch Businesses

Our Māmā Moving Mountains programme helped these wahine turn their ideas into fully functioning businesses - and they were able to share their mahi with the wider community at their very own Matariki expo.  Read more at Te Hiku Media...

In the news: Whangārei's homeless population grows from 21 to 293 from 2018 to 2020

Our CEO Liz Cassidy-Nelson talks to RNZ reporter Sam Olley on homelessness in Whangārei. ...Liz Cassidy-Nelson (Ngāti Kahu o Torongare, Ngāti Hine, Te Kapotai, Te Māhurehure) heads Whangārei's Open Arms day centre for the homeless.It provides kai, showers and spaces for rest, as well as social workers and housing support workers. She said initially it was mostly single, middle-aged men who needed help from her team. Now it was entire families. "That rise keeps rising and of course no one wa...