Te Pā Maru, Wellington City Mission’s residential alcohol harm reduction unit, has recently celebrated the first anniversary of its operations, which includes a Managed Alcohol Programme (MAP).
The programme supports people who have a severe addiction to alcohol and a history of chronic homelessness to find and maintain a safe and secure home.
Located at the site of the old Wellington Men’s Night Shelter at 304 Taranaki Street, Te Pā Maru is a service provided by the Wellington City Mission (WCM) to support those who are often turned away from housing and other services because of their addiction.
Wellington City Council supports WCM with operational funding for Te Pā Maru and recognises WCM as a key strategic partner in the delivery of the City Safety and Wellbeing Plan.
The MAP takes on a harm reduction approach, treating alcohol like medication. People are provided with alcohol from a dispensary, with scheduled doses according to a pre-agreed plan. People pay for the cost of purchasing their alcohol.
This approach supports people to manage and control their drinking; reducing the harmful behaviours that alcohol causes, and enabling people to engage with wrap-around support.
One resident spoke about the change he has seen in himself, since moving into Te Pā Maru, saying, “After spending three years in jail, I came to this place. Since being here, I’ve changed my lifestyle, and I’ve done that for myself.
“I’ve become what you would call ‘legit’, by fitting in here at Te Pā Maru and following the rules. I’ve been off the meths, I’ve cut down on my drinking, and I’m eating well.
“There’s a structure here that works for me, and being allowed to drink something is a totally different way of treating people. It’s not looking down at people and punishing them for drinking, it’s accepting that they do drink and helping them do better for themselves.”
Seventeen people have accessed the service in its first year, and each has shown significant improvement in their health outcomes as a result.
Those who live at Te Pā Maru experience a range of challenges, including poor physical health, mental health issues, alcohol-related dementia and cognitive decline, post-traumatic stress, family breakdown, poverty, and isolation.
In their time at Te Pā Maru, whānau will engage in meaningful activity that helps them to connect with others, build independence and bring their life experiences and skills to Te Pā Maru. They develop and care for a shared garden, take part in structured group work programmes, engage in healthy activities, such as walking and going to the gym, and volunteer and study in the wider community.
“I mean, what are you going to do if you are bored, lonely, fed up? You’re going to want to reach for a drink,” Matt Petrie, Site Manager at Te Pā Maru told us.
“When we see whānau at their best, it is when they are doing something they enjoy. If it’s making everyone a curry, attacking weeds, or going for a swim down at the pool, the whānau come to life.
“The greatest success has been to build a community where people, no matter their history or background, have been able to live safely and with dignity. Our whānau have been supported to make positive change in their lives. This is what we’re celebrating on our first anniversary.”
Murray Edridge, Wellington City Missioner talks about the extraordinary impact Te Pā Maru had made in its first year of operation: “There is always some trepidation when you do something new and untested, at least in New Zealand. The success of the whānau who have lived at Te Pā Maru over the last 12 months is testament to the importance of supporting people, whatever it takes, to make a difference in their lives.
“I had the privilege of attending the one-year anniversary dinner that was catered for by the whānau. Each of them spoke about the difference this place had made in their lives, with the common thread that had they not been at Te Pā Maru, they probably wouldn’t still be alive! Some things just have to be done.”
The Council sees Te Pā Maru as an essential service for the city, says Harm Prevention Team Leader, Millie Lambess.
“We absolutely support harm reduction approaches and see it as a vital part of addressing addiction in our communities. By backing a range of services and delivery methods, the Council recognises that no single solution fits all, and that diverse, person-centred support is necessary for achieving better outcomes.”
“Te Pā Maru and the kaimahi delivering this essential, evidence-based care are an invaluable asset to Wellington,” said Ms Lambess.
