World Homeless Day 2025: The organisations tackling homelessness year-round

Community groups and initiatives play a vital role in supporting individuals and whānau (families) in need – providing essential services, both short and long-term support, and genuine human connection when times are tough.

Two charities offering support to people in hardship, Orange Sky Aotearoa and Lifeskills, have received funding from Kinetic New Zealand’s inaugural Moving Communities Fund to support and further their mahi (work).

Kinetic New Zealand Managing Director, Calum Haslop says organisations like Orange Sky and Lifeskills are tackling complex challenges despite limited resources. 

“These organisations are at the heart of their communities. We know they’re doing it tough right now, with funding under pressure as the communities they support also struggle.

“Through our Moving Communities Fund, it’s a privilege to be able to provide a funding boost, so they can focus on what they do best: making a difference where it matters most.”

Orange Sky Aotearoa provide free laundry, hot showers, and genuine, non-judgemental connection to people experiencing homelessness or hardship. The organisation operates six mobile laundry vans, three permanent pods and two internal laundries across New Zealand.

Fundraising and Development Manager, Lousie Phillips explains that the service exists to enhance mana and dignity and ensure people who are often overlooked feel seen, heard and valued.

“Providing free laundry and showers is important, but the heart of Orange Sky is human connection,” she says. “We call those we support friends and whānau, because over time, that’s what they become.”

More than 112,000 people are experiencing homelessness in Aotearoa and demand for Orange Sky’s services is higher than ever. Support from the Moving Communities Fund will help Orange Sky to continue providing its essential services while expanding into more communities.



For more than three decades, Lifeskills has stood alongside rangatahi (young people) and whānau (families) navigating intergenerational poverty, homelessness, disconnection, and systemic exclusion.

Lifeskills is committed to nurturing resilience, restoring dignity, and creating access to real pathways that enable rangatahi to thrive through He Rangatahi Taurikura, a dedicated initiative focused on addressing the root causes of youth homelessness.

With many kaimahi (staff) bringing lived experiences of the very challenges they help rangatahi overcome, Lifeskills offer a unique community-led model that focuses on rebuilding confidence, learning life skills, and reconnecting with whānau and culture.

“This grant from Kinetic is a real boost for our mahi,” says Kirimangu Tautogia, Group General Manager at Lifeskills. “It will help us continue to stand alongside rangatahi and whānau who are navigating some of life’s toughest challenges.” 

Kinetic is proud to stand behind organisations that are making a lifechanging difference in the lives of people across Aotearoa every day of the year.

To support Orange Sky Aotearoa’s annual appeal, click here

To support Lifeskills’ Youth Housing Programme, click here