Who We Are
Providing suitable housing and friendship to refugees, inspired by God’s love.
Agapanthus Housing Trust is a registered charitable trust focused on providing housing for refugees settling in Palmerston North and supporting their community integration. This is real mission work in our local community that was birthed in God’s heart of love for refugees.
We want to make sure all refugees in the Manawatu are suitably housed and integrated
The trust uses an agricultural metaphor: agapanthus seeds germinate easily and, once a garden has agapanthus, they cannot easily be removed. The organisation traces its origin to 2017, when a dried agapanthus flower head prompted a church member to consider housing a specific Afghan refugee family. The initial concept has since expanded into a growing portfolio of properties for refugee housing.
What We Do & How You Can Help
What we do
We provide housing and staffing to support refugees resettling in Palmerston North through the Red Cross programme. Our four-point approach:
- Purchasing and refurbishing homes using loaned or donated funds for safe, warm, dry accommodation.
- Managing privately-owned homes for the same purpose.
- Pairing trained Red Cross volunteers with families as long-term partners until independence is achieved, then connecting them with church members.
- Spiritual support through prayer for families to experience God’s love.
How you can help
We seek diverse contributions from people with:
- Time to spend with families.
- DIY and home repair skills.
- Financial contributions for property provision and maintenance.
- Commitment to regular donations for rates and insurance.
- Properties available for housing families.
All donations qualify for the charitable donations tax rebate, with tax receipts issued after 31st March each year.
To volunteer or donate, please email agapanthushousingtrust@gmail.com.
Our Team
Keith Aitken (Chairperson) After 44 years in hospital-based health provision and missionary work, plus 10 years on the PNCBC Eldership, he joined the trust sensing God’s calling to help house refugees in Palmerston North.
Audrey Shepherd (Trustee, Property Manager) “I see my role with AHT as a way to show a little of God’s love to the refugee community.”
Kevin Cleland (Trustee) “I like adding value to properties, taking a property that is unloved and making it a home.”
Margaret Rollinson (Committee Secretary) “I have been involved with people from other cultures most of my life so understand some of the difficulties that new immigrants to NZ experience.”
Alessia James (Committee Treasurer) “I joined the AHT team in 2020. I have worked in finance since 2003 and felt I could offer my skills.”
Mike & Kiri Clark (Supporters) They bring business training and DIY skills to develop potential in both people and properties.
Contact
To volunteer or donate, please contact us!
Keith Aitken
- Mobile: 0211502343
- Email: agapanthushousingtrust@gmail.com
Audrey Shepherd
- Mobile: 0278190155
Address: 190 Church Street, West End, Palmerston North