Warmth Returned: The Renovation That Changed a Family’s Life

For nearly 40 years, Sulia* has called Mangere home, raising her family in a house that has seen both joy and wear. Having moved to New Zealand at 17 from a small island in Rarotonga, eager to start a new chapter in this vibrant country she would come to proudly call home. However, as the years passed, the condition of her home began to deteriorate, leading her to consider returning to the Cook Islands with her husband and three children.

“The house made me so sad. I avoided many areas of the home because I couldn’t bear to see how broken it was. We had to shower at the local pools because the bathroom didn’t work. I hated packing up my things every day just to wash.”

Her world began to shift when her son fell ill with rheumatic fever.

“I never thought my bathroom could be fixed because we didn’t have the finances, let alone all the other repairs that were needed. We felt stuck,” Sulia shared.

With support from the 'Ministry of Pacific Peoples' Habitat was able to renovate the bathroom to make it fully functional and accessible, repair the rotting wood on the exterior windows to retain warmth, fix the roof, repaint, and even add a kitchen rangehood for improved ventilation. New curtains will soon complete the transformation.

“When I found out my home was going to be fixed, I cried. The whole experience has been amazing - it’s been such a blessing for my family.”

The impact of the renovations has been nothing short of life changing. Sulia describes how her family’s happiness has been restored: "We can shower whenever we want now! My kids love it. They’re so much warmer and healthier.”

“I love sitting at my kitchen table looking out my new window. Before I avoided this space completely, now I gravitate towards it.”

Thanks to the comprehensive renovations, Sulia and her family now enjoy a healthier, safer, and more comfortable home. This transformation is not just a physical improvement - it is a gift that will continue to benefit them for many years to come.