Woven Earth
We are a caring community taking positive action for family violence survivors
Leaving a violent relationship is not the end, but the start of a new and deeply complex chapter. People often flee with nothing but the clothes on their backs. They are alive and physical safe, but they have lost everything they own.
They have no money, are facing homelessness and caring for traumatised children as single parents. They are also managing their own mental and physical health struggles, while navigating a legal system at their most vulnerable.
It’s many of these barriers that prevent people leaving their abusers at all, perpetuating an ongoing cycle of violence and, in some cases, death. Tragically, we have the highest rates of family violence in the OECD. Thankfully, we have incredible people and organisations helping survivors reach safety. But then what?
When a family finally secures a place to live, they face the harsh reality of moving into an empty house without any way to furnish it and begin rebuilding their lives. Working directly with NZ Police Family Harm teams, refuges, and frontline agencies across greater Tāmaki Makaurau, we bridge this gap.
Furnishing empty houses into loving homes
We repurpose excellent quality second-hand donations, including everyday household goods and homewares, furniture, beds, toys, books and even sports equipment. We also provide new items, including whiteware, electrical goods, towels, and bed linen which we purchase or receive directly from financial donations. Everything needed to furnish their new home, at absolutely no cost to them.
Our mighty team of volunteers work tirelessly, handpicking, delivering and setting up homes tailored to each person we support. This personalised approach makes our service truly unique, setting us apart from other standardised services.
Helping children have better life chances
Children face profound upheaval when a parent flees violence, leaving behind their home, belongings, friends, school, and community. While we can never fully replace what they’ve lost, we make it our mission to provide the things that help ease their journey.
Thanks to the Lindsay Foundation, our Children’s Fund offers greater support – from replacing a cherished toy to covering school uniforms, supplies, or hobbies like dance and swimming, sports memberships or equipment. By addressing each child’s unique needs, we help lighten their emotional load and give them a better chance at life.
Empowering lives
Every home we furnish, every child we help, and every life we change drives us to keep going. We see the tears of gratitude and the relief on the exhausted faces of those who carry the weight of immense trauma and heartbreak, and we witness incredible stories of empowerment and growth.
Since our first home in 2019, we now furnish on average four homes a week. Our commitment is unwavering – but we need your support.
Visit Woven Earth to donate and learn more here