A home repaired and hope restored through Habitat and Waikato-Tainui

After watching her home deteriorating but not having the means to fix it herself, Tauranga homeowner Raewyn (Waikato-Tainui) is now celebrating having a warmer, drier, safer home.

With the support of Waikato-Tainui, Habitat for Humanity Central Region replaced rotting timber around the entrance way, replaced a leaking and unstable toilet, repaired guttering, and carried out roof repairs to prevent water getting inside her home.

“Just coming home and not seeing rot when I open up the door to my home – I couldn’t thank them enough,” says Raewyn. The wood around the doorframe was so rotten, it had been difficult to lock and close the door.

“And my roof – knowing there’s no more moisture coming through my roof anymore. The ceiling and all that is going to last a little bit longer.”

Raewyn praised the “fantastic” Habitat team and tradespeople who completed the work.

“I’ve only met the builder but he was lovely and his workmanship was excellent. He was explaining everything, and why he had to do it, before he did it.”

Waikato-Tainui fully funded the repairs on the condition that Raewyn completed a financial literacy course – something Raewyn says has changed her mindset as well as the way she was handling money.

“I used to look at my mortgage as just a big heavy debt. It felt like I was working and getting nowhere, just paying off a bill. But [financial advisor] Susan told me it’s equity and told me how much I’m worth.

“She turned it all around and I’m able to smile at my debt.”

Susan also supported Raewyn – who will be 65 in a couple of years – with a plan to achieve her goal of paying off her mortgage in five years.

Raewyn says her home is for her whaanau – a place they know they can always come to lay their head. The house was originally purchased by her as a home for her dad, and she plans to one day give the house to her son.

For now, she’s enjoying her newly repaired home, and has begun saving for future renovations.

“I’m so thankful for what has been done. It’s lifted me. I can see a future where this house is what I want it to be.”