Tim | Māngere, Auckland

“Home, for me, is a place where you rest your head, where you’re born from, and at the end of the day where the sun goes down and your post is, that’s home. 

Well, I live in the bush at the moment, and that’s what I call home. No power. It’s just tin and two pieces of wood holding up a roof. Due to the COVID we’ve gone through a lot of transitioning with houses. I’ve transitioned into Housing New Zealand. I’ve gone through motel life. I’ve gone through this and that. I’ve been on the plan with Housing New Zealand with WINZ. The community have even helped me in terms of giving. Give a little food. We’re talking shelter. Even talking shelter for 24 hours. That’s how desperate we are here in Māngere City. We really need the help out there, people. So, if there’s anyone out there, in our outer community, border community, please give a little, especially to a fella called Tim. I need it, whānau. I’m barely holding my job down. Due to COVID, I could be on the end of the wick. I could be losing my job today. That’s how hard it is out here. 

Where is home? They’re building 3000 houses around there. They’re not built yet. Come on, Jacinda. Let’s get this moving. I’m struggling here. A lot of people out here are on the street. We’re homeless over here. There’s five people all sleeping over there. I’m trying to find a spot. It’s going to rain tonight. Where do I go? Who do I see? I’ve talked to the Advice Bureau around here. I’ve talked to the community leaders. There’s a pile-up. You know?  There’s 50 of me. Big homies, little homies trying to get into these places around here. It’s hot out here. You know? It’s 20 degrees plus, and that’s not even talking about the weather. So where is home for me?

I grew up here. Auckland born and bred. Greenlane Hospital, ’83. I’ve been all around here. Hillsborough, Māngere, Māngere South, Māngere Central. The background, the homelessness. I’m here for accommodation. Where is it? Where is that free? We’ve got to come in as a community, and work as an entity, and nail it down. I’m living rough. I’m sleeping rough. I’m eating rough. It’s hard out here trying to get a hand-up. I don’t need a hand-out. I need a hand-up. That’s all I’m asking. This is the lowest decile place in New Zealand, people. I’m proud to be from Māngere. I’m representing South-side all day. I wear it on my face every second, and I’m giving to the people as much as they’re giving to me. I love this place. I want to die here. I’ve been born here. I live here and I sleep here, either on these chairs, cars, everything. I’m your man. It’s your boy. Nonstop addictions. We’re 24/7 around there. You know?  I’m your man. Don’t be late. Let’s get this money. 

The background on the tattoos on the face, well I’ve done a bit of Pare, B Block. Hardest prison in New Zealand. I’ve been to the end of the world. I’ve been to hell. I’ve been to hell five times. I’ve lived that life. It’s your boy. I’d rather go to jail and get accommodation. That’s what I’m thinking right now. Well, it’s the best place for me? It’s free. You get accommodated. The Government will cover me for all costs, easy but can you do it out here, please Government? The porridge is good. I’ve left that life behind. I’m moving on. I’ve got today. I’ve got a job. I’m doing all the right things. My mum’s happy with what I’m doing now. I’ve been doing my family thing. I’ve got seven kids. They’re sheltered. They got clothes on their back, food in their stomach. Their mum is their dad. I’ve been locked in Pare for 20 years. You know? I come out here and I’m struggling. Now, I’ve gone to the Citizens Advice Bureau. I’ve gone to WINZ. I’ve gone to McDonalds. I’ve gone and seen the big homies, the gangs. The gangs are helping me more. Man, what do I do? Where do I go? Who do I see?  I know where I’m from. I know where I’m going. I know what I want, but how do I get it?  That’s what it’s about, community.”