Ahikāroa helps tāngata whai ora find permanent, stable housing that is healthy and safe, in a way that supports their needs.
Independent housing is where tāngata whai ora live in their own home in the community.
Tāngata whai ora referred to Ahikāroa for independent housing are assigned a housing case worker who will meet with them to discuss their needs, goals, and any barriers they are facing.
The Ahikāroa team then works with the tangata whai ora/whānau and clinical key worker or HRBC social worker to access a suitable housing service, and provides ongoing support and reviews.
Make a referral
Clinicians from Waikato DHB Mental Health & Addictions services and Hauora Waikato need to fill out a referral form to start the process of accessing independent housing services with Ahikāroa.
Completed referral documentation should be emailed to: ahikaroa@wisegroup.co.nz. The team will acknowledge your referral and start the process for independent housing.
Eligibility for independent housing through Ahikāroa
Referrals for independent housing can be made by clinicians from Waikato DHB mental health and addictions service and Hauora Waikato, for tāngata whai ora who:
- are receiving secondary services from Waikato DHB or Hauora Waikato mental health and/or addiction support
- have an assigned key worker or clinical team
- meet the definition of homelessness, and
- are aged 18 or over.
Who is considered homeless?
To be considered homeless, people must be living in one of the situations set out by Statistics New Zealand.
- Without shelter– living on the street or in a car.
- Temporary accommodation– in overnight or short-term accommodation in hostels, motels, refuges, motor camps or boarding houses.
- Sharing accommodation– couch surfing or sharing someone else’s home (not as a flatmate or boarder).
- Uninhabitable accommodation – staying in dilapidated or makeshift dwellings or shelter (like a leaky sleepout).
Housing options
Ahikāroa is delivered by the community housing provider LinkPeople. We have access to LinkPeople social housing, and help people access other housing options where possible/appropriate.
- LinkPeople social housing
- Private rentals
- Kāinga Ora
- Other social housing providers
Matching people to properties
The Ahikāroa housing team works to understand people’s needs, to better help tāngata whai ora find a suitable housing solution that is safe, secure, and sustainable.
We do our best to allocate properties based on this understanding. Robust discussion takes place when we have an available property, to help determine tāngata whai ora whose needs would best be met in that home. In these discussions, we consider:
- Environmental factors, such as the location of the property, nearby shops, transport options, and the proximity of other people.
- Personal factors such as mobility needs, legal restrictions on where someone can live, any communicated wants/needs to be near whānau/community supports, and any risks.
- The urgency of housing need and time waiting for a home are also considered.
Tenancy management and housing case worker support
Once someone is housed, we provide tenancy management and housing case worker support to help them sustain their housing.
Ahikāroa teams offer support with any tenancy issues that may arise. We work in collaboration with those involved in a person’s care, to ensure they are well supported in their community.
A person’s needs will be reviewed in consultation with them, their whānau, and their supports to determine what ongoing support is required as they progress along their housing journey.
Please note, we do not provide emergency housing, Work and Income is the place to go for that.
Ahikāroa is part of the Wise Group. Copyright ©2026