Takitimu House

01/05/2026

Today we had the absolute privilege of watching Aaron De Ridder as he graduated from Te Wānanga o Aotearoa with his Certificate in Bicultural Social Services.
But Aaron’s story with us didn’t start here.
Aaron first came to our service in early 2021, recently released from prison and in the very early stages of recovery. His life up until that point had been shaped by prison, gangs, addiction, violence and dysfunctional relationships. He arrived hesitant and uncertain, but underneath it all was something powerful: a desire for more. More for himself. More for his future. More for his whānau.
Over the next year and a half, Aaron committed himself fully to change. He showed up. He did the hard work. He faced the challenges head-on and worked tirelessly through his recovery journey, reaching milestone after milestone while remaining clean and focused on building a different life.
Aaron is living proof of what can happen when determination, accountability, awhi, and support come together. His journey is not just inspiring, it is transformational.
Today, Aaron sits on our Board of Trustees, where he has served for the past two years. He now walks alongside the tāne in our service through his role with Ngāi Te Rangi as an Oranga Whānau/Mauritau AOD Kaimahi. He has rebuilt strong relationships with his whānau and continues to push himself further through study and service to others.
From prison to purpose.
From addiction to healing.
From surviving to leading others forward.

Aaron, we are beyond proud of you!❤️

13/04/2026

We want to give a massive shout‑out to the wonderful Carole. For close to 10 years now (longer than we can even remember and Carole would say the same!), she has been quietly supporting Takitimu House through her generous donations.

Carole regularly donates brand new underwear, socks, beanies and other essentials for the men who come through our doors, many of whom arrive with nothing. These items make a huge difference, providing comfort, warmth, and dignity.
As you can see, she’s once again arrived with boxes full of generosity. 💙

Carole, thank you for your ongoing kindness and support over the years. It is genuinely appreciated by both staff and the men we work alongside.

Ngā mihi nui 🤍

26/03/2026

We stand alongside our community in concern about the proposed Move-on Orders and what this could mean for some of our most vulnerable whānau.

These proposed powers include fines and potential imprisonment for those who do not comply. While intended to address disruption, we are concerned this approach risks further penalising people who are already experiencing hardship, rather than connecting them with the support they need.

From our experience, homelessness is not solved by enforcement or displacement. Real, lasting change comes from aroha, connection, and wraparound support.

As this conversation continues across Tauranga, our community is coming together to stand for solutions that are compassionate, practical, and people-focused.

📣 National Day of Action – Kia Tū Kotahi
🗓 Sunday 29 March | 1–3pm
📍 Holy Trinity Lawn, 215 Devonport Road

Come along to connect, listen, and be part of a collective voice for positive change.
💛 Bring a blanket to sit on and donate at the end
🧥 Warm clothing for those doing it tough
💬 Your voice and presence

There will be speakers, performances, free kai, clothing, and a mobile shower/laundry unit available.

Kia kaha, Tauranga. Kia tū kotahi.

Tauranga protest planned over move-on orders https://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/379605-tauranga-protest-planned-over-move-on-orders-.html

10/03/2026

We wanted to take the time to give a huge thank you to Dr Millar Hann, Chiropractor, for the wonderful support he has been providing to the tāne and even the staff at Takitimu House.

Each week he generously offers free chiropractic adjustments, helping relieve pain, reduce stress, and support the wellbeing of both our tāne and team. Access to services like this can be difficult, so this kindness makes a real difference.

We are incredibly grateful for the time, care, and community spirit he brings. Thank you for supporting our kaupapa.

If you’re looking for a chiropractor who truly cares about people and community, we highly recommend checking out his page and showing your support. 💙

Be Vital Chiropractic

12/01/2026

✨ Happy New Year from Takitimu House ✨

As we step into a new year, we want to take a moment to thank our community, partners, and supporters for walking alongside us in 2025. Together, we’ve seen resilience, growth, and real change for the tāne we support and we’re excited about what’s ahead.

With the new year comes new opportunities, and we’re looking for a new member for our team. We are currently on the hunt for a passionate and dedicated Social Worker to join Takitimu House and help continue this important mahi. If you (or someone you know) is driven to support men on their journey from homelessness to stable, independent living, we’d love to hear from you.

Here’s to a year of connection, impact, and positive change 💙

Are you a passionate, people-focused professional with a heart for making real change? Takitimu House is seeking a qualified & dedicated Social Worker

30/10/2025

💚 A heartfelt thank you to Craigs Investment Partners 💚

Thanks to your generous $2,000 donation through your Workplace Giving programme, we’ve been able to create something truly special here at Takitimu House, a shared garden space built by our clients, for our clients.

Together, the men and staff rolled up their sleeves, cleaned, planted, and transformed the grounds into a place that reflects pride, connection, and care. It’s more than a garden, it’s a space to grow confidence, wellbeing, and a sense of belonging.

The remaining funds will help make Christmas a little brighter, with personal vouchers for each man and (as chosen by the group!) welcoming a new house cat to fill the space with warmth and companionship. 🐾

We’d also like to give special thanks to Palmers for kindly donating extra supplies and to The Big Smoke BBQ Co for the incredible food donation that was utilised for lunch shared on the day.

From all of us at Takitimu House, thank you for helping us create a home, not just a house. 🌿💫