Healthy Homes Programme Expands to Support More Local Whānau

Kāinga Whakatipu, a Healthy Homes Initiative that supports whānau across the MidCentral region, has been able to expand their services to 50 more families thanks to the Eastern and Central Community Trust and Palmerston North Hospital Foundation’s facilitiation. 

Cold and damp housing has a significant impact on health, especially for children and older adults. Kāinga Whakatipu is dedicated to ensuring every New Zealander can live in a warm, dry and healthy home. Palmerston North Hospital Foundation is proud to help facilitate this - acting as a conduit that receives funding from the Eastern and Central Community Trust, which is then distributed directly to the MidCentral programme. 

With this expanded funding, the initiative can now support low income families in Horowhenua and Tararua, and has been able to widen their criteria to help kaumatua (elderly people) and tangata whaikaha (people living with disabilities).

When a whānau is referred to Kāinga Whakatipu, the team carries out a home assessment and works with household members to deliver practical improvements. Support may include sharing advice about home heating and moisture control, minor repairs, and supplying free mould kits, bedding and heaters. Additional resources such as curtains (supplied by the Palmerston North Curtain Bank) and carpet pieces (donated by The Flooring Room) are available, and whānau can also be referred to other trusted agencies for further help.

These changes may seem small, but they have a big effect: when it’s easier and more affordable to heat a home, it reduces preventable illness and improves daily life, particularly for families on limited incomes. Many whānau learn new skills and pass them on, building stronger, healthier communities.

Recent results speak for themselves. One grandmother is now able to keep her mokopuna warm through winter and better manage their asthma; while a three-generation family - whose little one had been admitted to hospital multiple times - got help tackling severe black mould, including repairs to prevent it from coming back. “I am that grateful, I am tearful thinking about it,” said one parent. “We are so grateful for your service and showing us what was needed.”

While Kāinga Whakatipu is not exclusive to Māori, the programme works closely with Māori and Pasifika service providers to reach whānau most in need. Now able to help 270 households a year, the initiative is delivering tangible benefits to more local families, ensuring homes are healthier and safer for years to come.