Regional partnership launched for warmer, drier, healthier homes

As rising energy costs continue to place pressure on households across Hawke’s Bay, a new Healthy Homes partnership is helping whānau create warmer, drier, healthier homes through personalised advice, practical support and education.

Supported by investment from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) through its Support for Energy Education in Communities (SEEC) programme, the partnership brings together Weave Hawke’s Bay, Sustainable Hawke’s Bay and Wairoa Financial Literacy Service to deliver free, personalised in-home Healthy Homes assessments throughout the region.

Drawing on complementary expertise in home performance, sustainability, financial wellbeing and trusted community support, the Healthy Homes partnership provides practical advice, education and wider support that no single organisation could deliver on its own.

Every assessment is tailored to the household, helping improve the warmth, comfort and energy efficiency of the home. Where appropriate, whānau will also receive support to identify opportunities to reduce energy costs and connect with additional services that can help improve their overall wellbeing.

Kerry Henderson, Chief Executive of Weave Hawke’s Bay, says the partnership reflects a shared commitment to helping whānau thrive.

“Every whānau deserves the opportunity to live in a home that is warm, dry and healthy. We know that when people feel more comfortable in their homes, the benefits often extend well beyond the house itself. By working together, we’re able to combine our strengths and provide practical support while connecting whānau with the wider services they may need. It’s a partnership that will help create stronger, healthier communities across Hawke’s Bay.”

Qualified Home Performance Advisors will work alongside each household to understand how their home performs and provide personalised recommendations tailored to their circumstances. Support may include practical advice on reducing dampness and mould, improving ventilation and heating, and identifying opportunities to reduce power bills through electricity plan comparisons. Where appropriate, households may also receive practical home improvements, along with recommendations or referrals for larger home improvements and additional support services.

Jeff Vredenburg, General Manager of Sustainable Hawke’s Bay, says the partnership demonstrates how environmental sustainability and community wellbeing go hand in hand.

“Helping households use energy more efficiently is good for families, good for the environment and good for our region. By combining our home performance expertise with the strengths of Weave Hawke’s Bay and Wairoa Financial Literacy Service, we’re able to support households in ways that create lasting environmental, financial and health impacts. That’s the real strength of this partnership.”

The programme will deliver services throughout Hawke’s Bay, including Napier, Hastings, Central Hawke’s Bay and Wairoa, ensuring people across the region have access to qualified Home Performance Advisors and locally delivered support.

Ngaio Bell, Service Manager at Wairoa Financial Literacy Service, says local delivery completes the partnership by ensuring every community can benefit.

“Strong regional partnerships are built on trusted local relationships. We’re proud to ensure whānau in Wairoa can access the same high-quality support as the rest of the region while receiving it from people who understand their community. Together, this partnership means households across Hawke’s Bay can benefit from practical advice, personalised support and local knowledge, no matter where they live.”

The Healthy Homes partnership acknowledged the investment provided by EECA through the SEEC programme and thanked the many organisations and community leaders whose support demonstrated Hawke’s Bay’s shared commitment to creating warmer, drier, healthier homes.

Referrals are now open, with households, community organisations and professionals encouraged to learn more about the Healthy Homes service and make a referral.

For more information or to make a referral, visit Healthy Homes – Weave Hawke’s Bay.