Dry, happy home
A deserving Porirua family will be warmer and healthier in their home this winter.
The Taliulu family home was recently installed with an HRV heating and ventilating system.
The house was also retrofitted with insulation and new curtains, in a community initiative spearheaded by Parents Centres New Zealand.
Afereti and Lemau Taliulu live with their five children and Afereti’s elderly mother Saitutuila, who is on dialysis, in a cramped three-bedroom Ascot Park house. In winter the family often became sick with the flu, hay fever and asthma, Afereti says. Illnesses were exacerbated by their indoor gas-heater.
Since the installation, dampness around the windows has disappeared.
The Project Starfish partnership between Parents Centres NZ, Sustainability Trust and HRV hopes to address issues surrounding child poverty and poor health in New Zealand. Chief executive of Parents Centres Viv Gurrey says the Taliulus were chosen for the healthy renovations because they met certain criteria, including home ownership, overcrowded living quarters, and the presence of children in the home.
‘‘ It’s really [ about] recognising what’s happening in the community, and realising we can all play a part to help,’’ says Parents Centre marketing manager Eleanor Cater.
‘‘It’s a huge issue in NZ. We have had very, very poor and cold houses constructed here for a very long time. Our cars have to have a war- Afereti and Lemau Taliulu, with son AJ, and Parents Centre marketing manager Eleanor Cater, after the family’s house was made warmer and healthier for winter. rant of fitness. Our houses don’t.’’
Additionally, Sustainability Trust will produce energy reports for the family to help reduce power bills.
‘‘The Starfish Project is the first step and we are inviting everyone in the community to take up their own Starfish challenge, and help make a real difference,’’ Mrs Gurrey says.
‘‘We will support this family with ongoing parent education, development of networks and resources through their local Centre.’’