A philanthropic property developer has donated a house to an Auckland charity so women and children fleeing domestic abuse will have a safe haven.
Humanity NZ founder Owen Pomana says while the developer doesn't want to be named, their generosity is greatly appreciated.
"They are so kind and generous and it's just awesome to be able to steward their kindness," he told The AM Show on Wednesday.
While the residential property in Henderson can only house three women at a time, Pomana has high hopes for the future.
"Our dream is to have a farm, so if there's any rich philanthropists there we're really keen to get that for our community," he said.
"But we know it's so important for our community to have a place for women and children to go when the [Women's] refuge is maybe full - we knew we needed emergency accommodation."
The house has undergone a major renovation in the past few weeks to make it homely for the vulnerable people who will be housed there, and Pomana says the whole community has gotten behind the effort.
"The next-door neighbour is 81, and I came in yesterday and she was in the garden planting flowers - so I took her out to a garden store and just let her go nuts.
"The whole community has come together to give little bits of memorabilia and things like that."
The Henderson developer has also given Humanity NZ another two houses that will also be used for Women’s Refuge.
