Back to top anchor
Back to content top anchor

A year of making a difference with Street Guardians

News story
Friday 6 Dec 2019

Just over a year since it began, our Street Guardians pilot has clocked up 451 programme participations by 211 people choosing a positive alternative to begging for a day.

Recently they've been working on two outdoor projects, Kaipatiki Project and Twin Streams. Tasks have included moving wheelbarrows of mulch, shifting and weeding stream beds, creating pathways in the bush, clearing bamboo, and flax.

Street Guardians activity day at Kaipatiki Project. Image: Tomorrow Inc.

They have been adding real value to these important environmental projects - as one of the participants said, "if it wasn't for Street Guardians, this project wouldn't be where it is”.

The teams have been earning a well-deserved sense of achievement and satisfaction, too.

“Good getting up for a reason. I was up at the crack of dawn this morning excited to be coming out." 

“Spent the day pruning. It was good to do work; was kind of therapeutic. Makes me feel good.”

The Street Guardians pilot is currently scheduled until mid-2020 with support from the Ministry of Social Development in partnership with Auckland City Mission.

Over the course of the year, several participants have found regular work. 

If you haven't already seen this piece from TVNZ's Seven Sharp earlier in the year, it's a great illustration of the Street Guardians programme and well worth a watch!