Te Pā Pori - A home for more Wellingtonians
Exciting news! Forty-two manuhiri (visitors) have been welcomed into Te Pā Pori, Wellington City Mission’s newest supported transitional housing facility.
Taking pride of place at the entrance are two upright amo and maihi forming a waharoa designed and sculpted by Uenuku master carver Kura Wanikau-Tahana-Tūroa (Uenuku, Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Porou and Ngāpuhi) and the team at Nā Tohunga o Māui. The carvings are called Kūaha Whetu – Gateway to the Stars. Kura (in the photo with Murray) studied under the late Jock McEwen and other eminent tohunga whakairo. The carving will be blessed and unveiled by mana whenua at a dawn ceremony the same day.
You might know the building as “The Zebra Building” which is on Tory Street in central Wellington.
Alex Cassels, the owner of the landmark building, was converting the property into boutique accommodation when the Covid-19 pandemic struck. With no international travellers arriving in the country, it made sense to re-purpose the building says Missioner Murray Edridge.
“Alex and I had a conversation about the Mission’s plans to have an impact on the issue of homelessness. We could see that the zebra building could play a big part in that. He agreed, so continued the renovation without changing the nature of the refurbishment. How cool is that! We are delighted to be welcoming our manuhiri into such a beautiful place.”
Tanoa, who has recently moved in, said “I feel so spoilt. This is a beautiful place.”
More than 70 self-contained units are available to support those experiencing homelessness and each room has its own kitchen, bathroom, TV, bed, and living room furniture.
Te Pā Pori has the potential for multiple communities such as men, women, transgender, and couples. Each community has amazing communal areas to facilitate shared meals and group activities.
The Wellington City Mission model of supported Transitional Housing is structured, purposeful and intentional. Te Pā Pori is staffed 24/7 with a team that specialises in social work, security, leadership, and clinical psychotherapy. Manuhiri are supported holistically to move forward in their journey towards living independently within a three to six month time frame. Maria Millin, GM Residential Services says “We call the people we walk alongside manuhiri, which means visitor. Because this is not their home. It’s shelter and support on the journey. They deserve better - they deserve a permanent home in the community.”
Te Pā Pori is the largest transitional housing facility outside Auckland, and part of Te Pūnaha Pā, Wellington City Mission’s pā system of transitional housing. Te Pā Pori reflects the values and tikanga of the established communities of Te Pā Maru in Taranaki Street and Te Pā Manawa, Britannia House in Petone.
Since The Mission began operating supported transitional housing two years ago, 135 manuhiri have found permanent homes.
Missioner Murray Edridge says “We know in Wellington we are facing some challenges around homelessness, isolation and personal trauma. Because of the scale of the building with 83 apartments, we will have the opportunity to do not just do great things, but great things at some scale. And I think that will make a substantial difference to our city.”
Te Pā Pori is a partnership between Housing and Urban Development and The Wellington City Mission and was officially opened on Tuesday 6 July by Finance Minister Grant Robertson, Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods and Associate Housing Minister (Homelessness) Marama Davidson.
