CEWH Lunchtime learning - Understanding Homelessness: Wāhine Māori lived experiences of rough sleeping in Wellington City and their safety needs

He aha te mea nui o te ao? He tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata.

What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people

Please join the Coalition to End Women’s Homelessness for our next Lunchtime Learning webinar: Understanding Homelessness: Wāhine Māori lived experiences of rough sleeping in Wellington City and their safety needs.

We’re pleased to have Millie Lambess (Ngāti Kahungunu), Harm Prevention Team Lead at Wellington City Council, and Nan Wehipeihana (Ngāti Tukorehe, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Porou and Te Whānau a Apanui) from Weaving Insights presenting their research.

Date: Wednesday 28 January 2026|
Time: 12–1pm
Location: Online | Free

A qualitative project led by Kaupapa Māori researchers, for Wellington City Council - this research sheds light on pathways to homelessness, as well as how wāhine Māori experience and navigate safety - physical, emotional, spiritual, and cultural - while living without a home.

Key safety and wellbeing needs identified by the research include:

• access to clean hygiene facilities

• safe spaces to rest

• secure storage for belongings

• lighting, time of day and movement for protection

• street whānau and mutual care

• informal relationships and connection

• better feedback mechanisms to hear from people with lived experience

• strengthen post-housing navigation and aftercare support

Women who took part in the research said:

“The railway station felt safe. Security guards often checked on me.”

“Being housed is just one step… I needed support that saw me – all of me – and helped me find my feet again.”

Find out more:

Read Understanding Homelessness: Wāhine Māori lived experiences of rough sleeping in Wellington City and their safety needs here

Ngā mihi nui,
Coalition to End Women’s Homelessness