A real relief that, come this winter, we’re not going to have the issues of it pouring inside.

A Waikato-Tainui, Ngaati Kahungunu whaanau have been left pondering what to do with their special bucket after Habitat for Humanity repaired their leaky roof.

For years, the bucket has lived in their Ngaaruawaahia home, ready to catch the water every time it rained. Nails in the roof were causing significant leaks, and the house’s internal gutter system was struggling to cope with frequent heavy downpours – at times resulting in waterfalls pouring down the interior walls.

Homeowner Moana said leaks were frequently making it through the wall and ceiling.

“It was quite dramatic. We would put out buckets and huge containers just to catch what we could catch, and the rest just poured down the walls.”

Moana and her husband purchased their house in 2003 as a home for them and their four children. More than 20 years on, it’s now home to three generations, with their daughter, her partner and three children living at home while looking for a place of their own.

After exploring different avenues for getting it fixed, Moana is grateful she turned to Habitat for Humanity, through Waikato-Tainui, for help. Habitat’s Home Repair programme offers no-interest loans up to $20,000 to homeowners needing critical repairs or maintenance on their homes, with affordable repayments over a period of up to five years.

Habitat Central works in partnership with Waikato-Tainui, who make referrals to support repairs for selected tribal members. The whaanau had a portion of the repair costs covered by Waikato-Tainui, with the balance to be paid back through Habitat’s Home Repair loan.

Waikato-Tainui Oranga Manager Marae Tukere credits the success of the programme to the shared belief that homes are dry, safe and affordable for whaanau.

“Collaboration with Habitat for Humanity has provided us with an opportunity to directly support whaanau with home repair needs,” Marae says.

Habitat’s repairs included replacing the nail fittings with screw fittings and wide washers, adding new flashings for water-proofing, and installing a brand-new external colour steel gutter.

“What I loved about the builder was that he was solution-focussed, and that worked really well for us,” Moana said. “It’s not just about money but it’s about our home… I felt Habitat for Humanity had our best interest at heart and wanted the best possible outcome for us.

“Last week, there was a little bit of rain which, normally, even if it’s a little bit of rain… we’re catching water inside, in specific spots – and there was none. So, very happy.”

Without Habitat and Waikato-Tainui’s partnership, Moana thinks they would have had to endure another winter in a leaky home.

“I’m just so ecstatic that we didn’t have to replace the roof, because that would have been huge for us,” Moana said.

“A real relief that, come this winter, we’re not going to have the issues of it pouring inside.”

With young children around, Moana thinks the biggest impact of the repairs is a healthier home.

“Health wise, it is going to be good because we won’t have black mould. We won’t be having to deal with that through the damper months.”

“I thank God for Habitat for Humanity, really. The service you provide is phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal. It fills my heart.”