25 Jul 2016

Te Puea Marae prepares to shut its doors

4:45 pm on 25 July 2016

The South Auckland marae which opened its doors to the homeless will no longer take in any more people from the end of this week.

Te Puea Marae started taking in whānau who were living in their cars 10 weeks ago.

The Wharenui at Te Puea Marae in Manger

Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

At the end of this week the marae will no longer take in any more people but will continue to find homes for the whānau still living at the marae and support the ones they have housed.

B and her two younger brothers at Te Puea Marae

The marae found a home for B and her family. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

The marae's Manaaki Tangata programme has helped 56 families and individuals so far.

Sixteen families have been placed in permanent housing, 13 are in temporary housing and another 13 have been using the services available at the marae.

At the end of August it will stop requesting and taking donations and have an official closing ceremony.

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