Aro ki te Hā
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In December, we launched Aro ki te Hā, a new day programme at HomeGround for people experiencing homelessness, hardship and isolation.
Aro ki te Hā expresses the idea of grounding yourself, reconnecting with your inner life force, and returning to a place of balance and wellbeing.
Running seven days a week, Aro ki te Hā provides safe, welcoming spaces for street whānau to rest during the day alongside opportunities to build community, learn life skills and enhance wellbeing. Within this environment of safety and belonging, our dedicated Aro ki te Hā team takes the time to build genuine relationships and trust – the foundation for whānau to access the support they need and make deeper changes in their lives.
At the heart of the programme is the creation of pathways to housing and empowering people to live well and sustain a tenancy.
The cornerstone of Aro ki te Hā is a daily drop-in space, where people can rest, have a kaputī (cup of tea), play board games and chat with support staff.
As well as the drop-in space, there is a programme of activities every day, focused on wellbeing, creative healing, education, cultural reconnection, pathways to housing and employment pathways. It integrates established activities - like our art classes, the Mana Tāne men’s group, SMART recovery sessions and the Street Choir - with new sessions such as raranga (weaving), free haircuts and a 10-week Life Skills course run by our occupational therapist.
Dedicated staff are always in the spaces to connect whānau to the full range of housing, health and food support available through the Mission.
Participation in Aro ki te Hā has exceeded expectations – with more than 100 people taking part on one day - and the team has had positive feedback about the impact the activities are having on their sense of wellbeing and community.
Aro ki te Hā Team Lead Ngahuia reflects “We’re seeing a lot of regular faces coming in. There’s a growing whānau community, as people connect together through Aro ki te Hā.”
“The great response reflects the real need for safe spaces for whānau to come, where they can just be and feel comfortable.”
Aro ki te Hā has been made possible through funding from the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and Auckland Council.