Helping needy rebuild lives from The Kohakoha Shed

Owhata resident Ngawhainga Kiriona-Winiata has a garage full of items to give to those in need. Photo/Stephen Parker

A Rotorua woman is opening her doors and paying forward generosity from the community to those in need.

Ngawhainga Kiriona-Winiata has run The Kohakoha Shed from her Owhata garage since December. Unwanted goods are dropped off at her house and people in need can go and collect them. Donated items have included clothes, beds, cots, children's toys, and furniture.

"I just thought there are a lot of people in our community that need a little help," she said.

"It's mainly for those on a low income and are struggling but also those who are starting to rebuild their lives again.

"We work with Women's Refuge, we had one family with 11 children who didn't have anything and we were able to clothe them all, give them four to five changes of clothes and fill their house with furniture."

Miss Kiriona-Winiata opened the shed after a friend started a similar initiative in Wanganui. Since then several others have opened nationwide but she decided to remain independent.

Alongside the donated goods, she runs basic cooking classes for young mothers, a free cot borrowing system and plans to start an initiative working with young boys without fathers.

She has helped up to 80 families since opening.

"You just see a lot of poverty around and I want my children and grandchildren to be safe. People often become involved in crime and abuse because they are desperate and are trying to relieve that poverty," she said.

"We had a mother come from an abusive relationship and they didn't have anything, they were sleeping on the floor on a foam mattress. You can't have children growing up and seeing that every day and thinking that's normal."

The woman behind the Kohakoha Shed.

A list of rules ensures those receiving items are in genuine need.

"A lot of families are stunned when they come here for help. They can't believe it's free. It's only through the help of the community that we are able to do this, we're just the vehicle."

The Kohakoha Shed is a non-funded charity. It has received assistance from Miss Kiriona-Winiata's Maori whanau trust, Pouhine ki te Whainga Charitable Trust Incorporated. The shed is officially opened three times a week.

"I grew up in a big family so we were always about manaaki (caring for) others. We run this on Maori principles. There are certain times I say it's open but that's to ensure that I'm there, but we have people come through all the time."

Anyone with unwanted goods can drop them to 33b Scott Ave, Owhata. Anyone needing assistance can contact Miss Kiriona-Winiata through the shed's Facebook page.