Dwell Housing Trust

15/06/2026

We’ve got some special news to share 💛

Our 43-home village in Kilbirnie, Mahora Te Aroha, has won an NZIA Architecture Award for multi-unit housing at the Wellington Architecture Awards!

The judges loved the sense of community created here and how the design makes village life possible.

While this award goes to the talented team at Novak+Middleton, it reflects a truly collaborative effort alongside builders Wilson Commercial and others to deliver 43 warm, safe, and affordable homes in the heart of Kilbirnie, close to schools, parks, health services, and community spaces.

We’re so grateful to everyone who helped bring this vision to life and to Te Kāhui Whaihanga NZ Institute of Architects for recognising how important good community housing is.

This is what home looks like 🏡



Photo credit: Abbie Dorrington

10/06/2026

We’ve got a new team member at Dwell. Meet Belle 🚗

Pictured here with Ofu and Ash at Lyall Bay, she’s been taking our tenancy team across the region to connect with residents and check in on our homes. She drives like a dream.

Having a reliable vehicle like Belle makes all the difference in how we show up, ensuring we can respond quickly, stay connected, and take good care of both our residents and the homes they live in.

04/06/2026

Check out DCM's guidance around a public submission for the Move-On Orders.

01/06/2026

We are thrilled to see Dwell Ambassador Peter Boshier, recognised in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours with a knighthood. This well‑deserved acknowledgement reflects a lifetime dedicated to fairness, integrity, and social justice.

For more than a decade, Sir Peter has been a valued Patron of Dwell Housing Trust, quietly championing our kaupapa and the importance of safe, stable housing for all. Over the past 12 months, following his retirement as Chief Ombudsman, he has stepped into a more active role as Dwell’s Ambassador, bringing even greater time, energy, and advocacy to our mission.

His commitment to community, transparency, and equity aligns beautifully with our belief that everyone deserves a place to call home.

Ngā mihi nui Sir Peter, for your unwavering dedication and service. We are proud to have you alongside us on this journey.

Arise Sir Peter 👏

The knighthood bestowed on Sir Peter Boshier in today’s King’s Birthday Honours is a richly deserved recognition of a life spent in service to justice, fairness and the public good.

Born and educated in Gisborne before heading south to study law at our own Victoria University of Wellington, Sir Peter’s career has been grounded in community, and he has dedicated his life to making public institutions work better for New Zealanders. 

Like many of us, Wellington became Sir Peter’s much-loved home and helped shape his career. Living in Thorndon, he enjoys the stunning heritage architecture and walkability of this city.

After practising law in Wellington over many years, he rose through the judiciary to become Principal Family Court Judge, later serving as a Law Commissioner and then Chief Ombudsman. Across those roles, he earned a reputation for mindful independence, compassion and thoughtful leadership. 

He also faced significant challenges. Boshier stated he remains haunted to this day by his involvement in court proceedings following the torture and death of five-year-old Malachi Subecz, who was violently abused and murdered by his caregiver in 2021.

"I found that deeply moving. I've been through many court cases and many investigations and at the end I could barely control my emotions. I regret the fact that collectively we still don't keep our young children and our babies safe.”

In a city that prides itself on public service, Sir Peter’s commitment to family wellbeing, transparency and public accountability has left a lasting mark on both the law and public life.

Today’s honour celebrates not only an exceptional career, but a lifetime of service that has helped make New Zealand a more open, humane and just society.

Thank you Sir Peter for your wonderful service.

20/05/2026

Welcome Ashwini – Dwell’s newest Tenancy Manager.

Ashwini joins us from , another community housing provider here in Wellington. She brings a depth of experience, along with a thoughtful and fresh perspective, and we are delighted to welcome her to Dwell.

What we’ve already come to appreciate about Ashwini:

- She has great style.
- Her sense of humour fits in perfectly.
- She is incredibly respectful of everyone she works with and supports.

Her arrival was marked by a beautiful mihi whakatau, shared with colleagues from He Herenga Kura. It was such a lovely occasion and a special way to welcome Ashwini into Dwell. It also reflected the strength of relationships across our sector, and the shared commitment we have to supporting whānau into stable, secure homes.

We do recognise we’ve nabbed one of their awesome team members (thank you, He Herenga Kura 😄), but her move also brings a real opportunity to build closer connections between our organisations. We’re looking forward to what that partnership might grow into - more to share on that very soon.

Welcome, Ashwini - we’re so glad you’re here.

18/05/2026

On Saturday, the Dwell Board took their strategy day on the road 🚐. We spent the morning visiting some of Dwell’s community villages (existing and in progress). It’s one thing to review plans and budgets… it’s another to stand in the spaces that will soon be home to families.

Ever grateful for this amazing group of Board members who, as volunteers, dedicate so much of their time and energy to supporting Dwell and ensuring we are on the right path.

10/05/2026

In case you missed us on 1News on Thursday evening, here is our CEO Elizabeth Lester talking to reporters in front of Dwell's new Mt Cook partnership project.

We’re excited to welcome 12 families into their new homes in 2027.

Wellington is a better place when everyone is housed!

04/05/2026

Today we’re bringing it back to where it all began - the stories, the people, and the simple truth that a safe, stable home can change everything.

It Starts with Home. A campaign a year in the making. A year full of countless conversations, many laughs and many tears.

Our hero video captures what It Starts with Home is all about. Real voices. Real experiences. And a powerful reminder that housing isn’t just about shelter - it’s the foundation for health, opportunity, and connection.

To everyone who shared their stories, supported the kaupapa, spotted a poster, had a conversation, or backed the mission - we thank you.

We need your continued support to help us change lives, and shape New Zealand into a place where everyone has somewhere to come home to.

Because it really does start with home.

itstartswithhome.com

03/05/2026

A beautiful whenua blessing at Dwell's next community housing village in Lower Hutt.

02/05/2026

From vision to reality.

Our new Bell Road community village, currently under development, is proof of what’s possible when a community comes together. These will be warm, safe homes designed for people to not just live - but to belong.

On Friday 1 May, we marked an important milestone with the blessing of the whenua - the start of a new chapter and the foundation for what will become a place of safety, stability, and belonging.

This is more than a build. It’s the beginning of homes where people can put down roots, rebuild, and thrive as part of a connected community.

As we take this first step, we’re reminded that projects like this are only possible with your support. Every donation helps bring these homes to life and gets us closer to providing more Kiwis with a place they can truly call their own.

Be part of what comes next. Your support will go directly towards this build: itstartswithhome.com

Everything starts with home. 💛