Wiri Licensing Trust is backing the campaign to keep RaWiri Community House open.
For more than 17 years, the community house has been a lifeline for many in the Wiri and Rata Vine areas, offering everything from food parcels for families who need support to community programmes delivering sewing and weaving classes and courses to help people get their driver’s licence.
But its future is under threat – Kāinga Ora (KO), who owns the property the community house operates from, has said it has to vacate the premises by the end of June due to the current housing shortage.
Wiri Licensing Trust General Manager Kim Green says it would be a huge loss for the local community if the house closes down.
“The team at RaWiri Community House are awesome. Manager Liz Kiriona, who helped found the local residents’ association, really understands the people living in this area and the problems and challenges they face. And she gives this job her all, tackling complex issues head on and making life better for local families.”
Read more: Community house a lifeline for local families
The Trust funded the campaign signage and banners that adorn the house in Rata Vine Drive. The signs were also used during a peaceful protest earlier this month, when community members, joined by Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson, Māori Party MP Oriini Kaipara and local government politicians, walked from the house to Manukau Kāinga Ora to deliver a petition asking for an eviction reprieve.
Local print company Mars Print & Signs gave the Trust a 30 per cent discount on the signage costs and even installed them out of hours to get them on the property as soon as possible.
Owner Arun Prakash says he and his son Neil, who also works in the business, wanted to support the work the community house does providing food assistance, housing support, employment and education services to the local area.
“In times like these, we understand that even a small contribution can go a long way to help those in need. We also value supporting local initiatives where we can, as it helps strengthen the community we work and live in. We have supported other community groups in the past and will continue to do so where opportunities arise.”
Kim says she hopes a solution can be found to keep the house open before the June deadline.
“We are really proud to have been able to support the mahi being done at the house over the past years by Liz and her team of dedicated volunteers.”
The Trust has contributed towards administration costs to keep the house running and supported applications to Trillian Trust for funds to cover operational costs.
“I’d like to see their work continue for many years to come.”
