Agapanthus Housing Trust
Providing suitable housing and friendship to refugees, inspired by God’s love
Who we are
Agapanthus Housing Trust is a registered charitable trust focused on providing suitable housing for refugees settling in Palmerston North and supporting them as they establish themselves in their new community.
Our work grew from a desire to respond in a practical way to God’s love for refugees. By providing safe, warm and secure homes, alongside friendship and community connection, we seek to give families a strong foundation as they build their lives in Palmerston North.
We want to make sure refugees settling in the Manawatū are suitably housed, welcomed and supported as they become part of the community.
Why Agapanthus?
We see our work as a flowering of God’s love.
The story of Agapanthus began in 2017 when a dried agapanthus flower head, with just a few seeds still clinging to it, prompted a member of Central Baptist to think about the church providing a home for an Afghan refugee family.
Agapanthus seeds germinate readily and, once established, the plants are remarkably persistent. That became a fitting picture for what followed.
A seed of an idea took root. What began with the hope of providing a home for one family grew into Agapanthus Housing Trust and a continuing commitment to providing homes for refugee families settling in Palmerston North.
Our hope is that, just as a plant puts down roots and flourishes, the families we support will have a secure place from which to settle, build relationships and flourish in their new community.
What we do
We provide homes and practical support to assist refugee families resettling in Palmerston North. Our approach has four key parts:
- 1 Providing safe, warm homes
We use funds loaned or donated to the Trust to purchase homes, refurbishing them where required to provide safe, warm and dry accommodation for families. - 2 Managing homes for refugee housing
We also manage privately owned homes that have been made available for the same purpose. - 3 Supporting families as they settle
We work alongside those involved in the refugee resettlement process to help families establish themselves in Palmerston North. We recognise that settling into a new country and community takes time. Our aim is not simply to provide a house, but to support families as they develop connections, become established in their community and move towards greater independence. - 4 Praying for the families we serve
Our Christian faith is at the heart of Agapanthus. We pray that those we relate to will come to know and experience the fullness of God’s love for them.
How you can help
There are many ways to be involved with Agapanthus, and we welcome people with a wide variety of skills and gifts. You may be able to help by:
- 1 Giving time and friendship to families as they establish themselves in the community.
- 2 Offering DIY, maintenance or practical skills to help us care for and refurbish homes.
- 3 Contributing financially towards providing and maintaining our homes.
- 4 Making a regular donation to help meet ongoing costs such as rates and insurance.
- 5 Making a suitable property available to the Trust to house a family for an agreed period.
Whether your contribution is practical, financial or through prayer, it can make a real and lasting difference to refugee families making Palmerston North their home.
Our team
Agapanthus is supported by a team of people who bring different skills, experiences and perspectives to the work of the Trust. What connects us is a shared desire to provide practical help, friendship and a warm welcome to refugee families settling in our community.
Keith Aitken
Chairperson
After more than 50 years working with multidisciplinary teams in health, serving on a New Zealand regulatory board and spending time on the mission field, Keith felt called to Agapanthus Housing Trust and subsequently to serve as its Chairperson.
Audrey Shepherd
Trustee, Property Manager
Audrey is a member of PNCBC and a retiree with rental property experience. I see my role with Agapanthus Housing Trust as a way to show a little of God’s love to the refugee community.
Keith Webby
Trustee
Keith has worked in the architectural field since 1974 and has run his own design business since 1994. He brings architectural, practical and life experience to his involvement with Agapanthus.
Kevin Cleland
Trustee
Kevin enjoys adding value to properties and turning them into warm, welcoming homes. His practical experience with property and the real-estate market is a valuable contribution to the work of Agapanthus.
Margaret Rollinson
Committee Secretary
Margaret has been involved with people from other cultures most of her life, so understands some of the difficulties that new immigrants to New Zealand experience.
Alessia James
Committee Treasurer
Alessia has worked in finance since 2003 and joined the Agapanthus team in 2020. She contributes her financial experience as Treasurer, supporting the careful stewardship of the Trust’s finances.
Geraldine Wood
Committee Member
Geraldine is a member of the Agapanthus committee and works alongside others on the practical care of the Trust’s homes, helping with property matters and the needs that arise for our families.
Mike Clark
Supporter
Mike brings business, facilitation and practical experience to Agapanthus. He enjoys contributing to practical projects and helping communicate the Trust’s vision of providing warm, welcoming homes for refugee families.
Kiri Clark
Supporter
Kiri brings business management, leadership and organisational experience to Agapanthus. She supports the Trust with processes, policies and practical systems that help its work run effectively as it grows.
Support Agapanthus
Want to get involved?
There are many ways to be involved, and your contribution and prayers can make a real and lasting difference to refugee families in Palmerston North. If you would like to volunteer, offer practical support, contribute towards buying or maintaining a property, make a property available, or simply find out more about Agapanthus, we would love to hear from you.
Contact details
Address: 190 Church Street, West End, Palmerston North
Want to donate?
Financial contributions help Agapanthus provide and maintain safe, warm homes for refugee families settling in Palmerston North. If you would like to make a donation, you can contribute directly to:
- Bank account name:
- Agapanthus Housing Trust
- Bank account number:
- 03-1522-0203918-000
All donations over $5 may qualify for the charitable donations tax rebate, with tax receipts issued after 31 March each year.
If you are not a regular donor, please email agapanthushousingtrust@gmail.com with your name and contact details so that we can issue you a receipt.