Sleepless nights with a leaky roof

For the past two years, any time it rained, Mere’s* husband would be kept awake with worry about their leaky roof and the damage it was doing inside their home.

The Waikato-Tainui, Te Aati Awa whānau can now relax, knowing their house is safe and dry after Habitat for Humanity’s Home Repair programme replaced their roof, in partnership with Waikato-Tainui.

“When they pulled the old roof off, it had 1969 on it – that’s how long it’s been since that roof was replaced,” Mere says.

“We kept trying to go up and fix the places it was leaking but we could never find them. Now we’re just smiling from ear to ear every time we pull up to our house and see a sturdy roof.”

The couple purchased the house, which was built around 1910, five years ago as first-time homeowners. It’s now home to them and their four children.

This is the first renovation they’ve undertaken, and Mere is impressed with how quickly the crew from NYC Roofing were able to get the job done – the whole roof was completed in about four days.

Habitat Central Region offers affordable, interest-free loans to homeowners in need of critical repairs, supported by Waikato-Tainui who make referrals for tribal members and cover a portion of the costs.

“It’s so good, because roofs aren’t cheap. It’s just a great initiative and it’s affordable for our family to pay it off.

“The fact that Waikato-Tainui came on board and were able to take away a portion of the payments has helped make an even easier cost for us. The iwi rocks – coming through for the people!”

The work was competed at the perfect time, with winter weather and heavy rains still impacting the region.

“I love the rain, but I wasn’t liking the rain in this house,” Mere says. “Now, I can enjoy the beautiful rainy weather in my home knowing it’s not being damaged.”

*name has been changed