Homeless shelter finally allowed to open in Rotorua

Wednesday, 22 August 2018

It's been a nightmare, but right now, it's beautiful. 

That's how Rotorua homeless campaigner Tiny Deane described the feeling ahead of the official opening on Wednesday of the city's first homeless night shelter, Sanctuary Manaakitanga. 

Deane, through his Visions of a Helping Hand Charitable Trust, has been lobbying for such a shelter since the end of May when he warned councillors' at a hikoi for the homeless that he feared someone would die on Rotorua's streets this winter.

Sitting in the office attached to the shelter ahead of its blessing, Deane admits the past few months have been tough.

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In fact, the former truck driver said that if he had known the road ahead when he first embarked on his mission, he probably would have packed it up there and then.

It's a journey that reached a bizarre low point when, believing he had the blind eye from council to open a night shelter while consents were processed - something the council have always denied - he had to spend the night at the drop in centre to shake awake anyone who fell asleep.

'If you know further down the road you're going to get hit with a sledgehammer in the head, you're not going to keep going are you,' he said.

'It's only my passion has grown so much for it. As I started the drop in first, then the night shelter in Taupō, every step I took I became more and more full of passion. There was such a need.

'It's been a logistical nightmare overall, but it's also beautiful at the end.'

He said he had faith the shelter would eventually get up and running, but there was concern that it might come too late for some.

'I was just hoping it wouldn't be too late, like a death or something'.

Sanctuary Manaakitanga can sleep 40 people with two separate rooms for males and females, and Deane said they have been fully funded by the Ministry of Social Development to open until October 31.

Deane said he intends to seek additional funding to continue and even expand the premises.

Christmas is on the horizon, traditionally a tough time for vulnerable families, and he believes the numbers of homeless won't be decreasing any time soon.

'It's something I'm very, very conscious of. Where to after October 31,' he said.

Speaking in the wake of the blessing conducted by Rotorua Elim Church senior leader Eruera Maxted, Deane said there were many people to thank, including Contact Energy who had agreed to supply the shelter's power for free and Visions sponsor Four Square owner and operator Clare Gallagher and council.

'Finally we got it sorted. I've certainly had my differences with council but we've focused on what we needed to do and got it done,' he said.

Waiariki MP Tamati Coffey also spoke at the opening thanking Deane and his wife Lynley.

'I want to take a moment to honour them for the sleepless nights. You've done it for all  the right reasons, for the people, and we'll always be grateful,' he said.

'Sometimes more ups than downs, but you got there.'

Rotorua Deputy Mayor Dave Donaldson also praised the opening.

'The word sanctuary spells out what the kaupapa of this is about, a place of safety for people who are vulnerable,' he said.

'The name is perfect.'