Free Laundry Service By Orange Sky A 'Load Off' For Māngere Families, First-time User Says

Thursday, 10 April 2025, 5:34 pm
Article: Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter

As housing hardship deepens across Aotearoa New Zealand, not-for-profit Orange Sky Aotearoa has launched a permanent, free laundry pod in Māngere.

For South Auckland mother of five Anahera Wijohn, it is already making a life-changing difference.

"I've seen them online, but I've never used them until today," Wijohn said.

After Wijohn visited the doctors on Monday, she noticed the Orange Sky pod.

She returned the next day to do her washing - it was her first time using the service, and she was the very first person to use the new machines.

Wijohn said doing laundry could cost her up to $50 a week - money that was often needed for other essentials.

"Now I can use that money to put extra on the table, or buy shoes and clothes for my children," she said.

"This service is stress-free, no judgement, and it's free - that's the best part."

A permanent pod for whānau in hardship

The Māngere laundry pod - only the second of its kind in Auckland - was opened by Orange Sky in collaboration with kaupapa Māori health provider Turuki Health Care and sponsored by Alsco Uniforms, which is funding its first year of operations.

The pod runs weekdays from 9.30am to 2.00pm and is staffed by Tūreki's housing, health and social services team.

Turuki Health Care executive manager Renee Murupaenga said the service went far beyond clean clothes.

"I kind of think of Orange Sky as like a kindness project, actually," Murupaenga said.

"If we just showed each other a little bit of kindness, communities can be really strengthened that way."

Murupaenga added the Māngere clinic was chosen for its accessibility and close connection to the community.

Referring to the housing crisis, she said over the the last two years, a significant number of the whānau the clinic takes care of have housing issues.

"Whether that be a lack of suitable housing in the Māngere or wider South Auckland area.

"We've seen an increase in whānau who are in emergency accommodation.

"We've seen a lot of our whānau who don't have washing machines or dryers, or a finance book to be able to access laundromats - I think laundromats are quite pricey.

"We have whānau that don't have excess blankets, excess uniforms - those sorts of things."

Being able to have a space and a place where they can come, wash their clothes, and dry them for free helps to alleviate some of the burden our whānau are feeling - particularly as we head into winter, she said.

Filling cups, not just laundry baskets

For Wijohn, the pod offers more than just clean laundry - it also lifts a weight off her shoulders.

"If I'm having a bad day and I come here, this will definitely fill my cup - just to be poured with love from this community," she said.

"Even working families - you can definitely come down here and use this too."

Orange Sky national coordinator Emah Rerekura said the service was intentionally designed to be as barrier-free as possible.

"There's no referral needed, no form, just a name - and it doesn't even have to be your real one," Rerekura said.

"Spiderman is a common one in the CBD."

Rerekura said the machines used hypoallergenic, fragrance-free detergent that is safe for children and those with sensitive skin.

Wraparound support, kaupapa Māori values

Murupaenga said the pod was also a stepping stone to wider support.

"I think the focus is on our homeless whānau and our rough-sleeping whānau - they're our priority for the service.

"It is about being able to have some open conversations about their struggles, what our wider services are able to do to support them - whether that's in health, in housing, or in social services.

"We saw it as a way to be able to sit down with the community that we do take care of - have a kōrero with them.

"For some of our whānau, it's actually about a lot of connections, and not connecting to a number of places and spaces - and so we'd like to be able to try and do that at the same time."

Tūreki's kaupapa Māori model was inclusive and designed to support Māori, Pasifika, refugee and migrant communities, especially those facing housing or financial hardship, she said.

"Everyone deserves to have exceptional quality of care," Murupaenga said.

"That's our job - it doesn't matter where you live or who you are."

The team dreams of expanding the service in the future - adding showers and running the pod daily, if enough volunteers step forward.

"We're keen to help other communities get one too," she said. "Imagine if we had one of these in every neighbourhood, that would be magic."

When asked about making sure accessibility is not hindered by barriers of being whakamā or shy, Murupaenga said it was key these types of community initiatives were a space where people felt welcomed, without judgement, and it was a respectful environment.

"All of those things are really important, or our whānau just won't use them."

A growing need, a growing movement

The Māngere pod joins Orange Sky's growing network of mobile and fixed services across nine regions, including Auckland, Kirikiriroa, Wellington and Christchurch.

Since its launch in Aotearoa five years ago, the charity has delivered nearly 30,000 loads of laundry and more than 14,000 showers.

Rerekura said before this, there was not a permanent service in South Auckland.

"We saw the pod as the best way to meet people where they are - and Turuki is a trusted, active community hub. It made perfect sense."

Orange Sky operates entirely on philanthropy and volunteer support, with no central government funding.

"We're always looking for volunteers," Rerekura added. "Even just two to three hours a week can help us make a big difference."

'Just come down and try it out'

Wijohn encourages others not to feel whakamā about using the service.

"I was like that once - too scared to ask for help," she said.

"I got out of that bubble - just come down and try it out for yourself."

The pod has made a huge difference in her day-to-day life.

"If I had to do this on my own, I'd be tired by the afternoon," she said.

"Now I can sit down and relax while our washing's getting done, I feel more stress-free.

"Orange Sky is going to play a big role now in my life.

"It's absolutely great this is here - no time frame, no judgement - just come when you need to."

To learn more about Orange Sky, including how to donate or volunteer, visit orangesky.org.nz.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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