Monthly sector blog - February
This is the first in a new monthly blog series written by Coalition to End Women’s Homelessness Kaihautū Dr Kathie Irwin, Project Director Victoria Crockford, and Collective Impact Lead Amanda Kelly.
A core part of our mahi is ongoing engagement with iwi, organisations, leaders, and community groups working in the homelessness sector, and these relationships shape our work at CEWH every day. This monthly blog shares reflections on what we are seeing across the sector, including the work we are engaging with and learning from.
CEWH meeting with Ngāti Toa Rangatira
Last week Kathie and Victoria met with Helmut Modlick, CEO of Ngāti Toa Rangatira, who invited them to share more about the Coalition’s work. Helmut’s team shared an overview of their work including in the housing / homelessness space.
“E hika mā! What a case study!” said Kathie.
Helmut stressed that their services are for the iwi and for manuhuri.
“The scope of the provision was remarkable. Through the description the strategic thinking, the value propositions, and the commitment to build whānau, hapu, iwi and hāpori capability were clear,” Kathie said.
Te Whare Tiaki Wāhine Refuge launches Community Learning Hub in Porirua
Congratulations to the entire team at Te Whare Tiaki Wāhine Refuge, on the launch of the Community Learning Hub in Porirua in December.
We had the privilege of celebrating the vision and leadership of Caroline Herewini, CEO of Te Whare Tiaki Māori Women’s Refuge and member of the CEWH Steering Committee, at the launch of this powerful kaupapa. Our Kaihautū Dr Kathie Irwin was honoured to attend in support of Caroline and the team.
The hub will be a transformative resource for Porirua and the wider community - its impact will be felt for generations to come. Ngā mihi nui and congratulations to all involved. Read Kathie’s reflections on a powerful day that honoured leadership, collaboration, and kaupapa, here.
2026 General Election - send our Open Letter calling for a Te Tiriti-based national strategy to end Women’s homelessness in Aotearoa
As Aotearoa heads toward the 2026 General Election, conversations about housing and homelessness are gaining urgency. This election matters because the policy decisions made now will shape whether women experiencing homelessness are met with care, dignity, and lasting solutions.
So many across the sector are making a significant difference through their mahi. Adding your voice to our Open Letter is one way to strengthen that collective call. The letter calls for a national, Te Tiriti-based strategy to end women’s homelessness.
Older people facing homelessness
The challenges of homelessness facing older people and those in their retirement years in Aotearoa have been well recognised across the sector for some time. This year, CEWH will be strengthening our focus on older women experiencing homelessness. If you’d like to kōrero or connect on this mahi, we’d love to hear from you.
It has been so impressive to see the hard work of Housing First Ōtautahi as they establish their first outreach service. What is harder to accept is that in its first week of operation, as reported by RNZ, the team encountered 19 people newly on the streets, including an 87-year-old woman, a 70-year-old, and a 17-year-old.
This is the increasing reality for our older women, with Māori and Pacific women in particular experiencing the compound impact of years of the gender and ethnic pay gap — meaning they’re retiring with less money to withstand the life (and rental) shocks that can edge people into homelessness.
Stuff: ‘Groceries are an afterthought’: Older, two jobs and struggling to buy food
Stuff: Aussies retire $400,000 richer than us. Here are six ways you can start bridging that gap
We value our connections, partnerships, and networks, and are always keen to build new relationships. If you’d like to kōrero or connect, please get in touch at admin@cewh.org
We look forward to sharing reflections, stories, and developments with you in the coming months.
Ngā mihi,
Kathie, Victoria and Amanda
