The Open Arms Day Centre as a Pou Whirinaki and Key Space of Care within the Conduct of Māori Homeless Lifeworlds in Whangārei, Aotearoa, New Zealand

Abstract

Homelessness has re-emerged as a significant issue in Aotearoa, New Zealand in recent decades, with Māori being impacted disproportionately due to ongoing processes of colonisation and impoverishment. Whether living on the streets of an urban centre, small city, or rural district, the lifeworlds of homeless people are frequently textured by social, material, and spatial exclusions, uncertainties, insecurities, and stigma. This article explores how the Open Arms Day Centre, a drop-in day centre for homeless people in Whangārei, functions as a dependable pillar of strength and support in the everyday lives of Māori experiencing homelessness. Employing a Māori-centred, case-based approach, we explored the experiences of a small group of local service users, volunteers, and staff through…