The service began operating on August 3 and has already seen strong demand, with more than 106 people accessing the cafe in its first two weekends.
Kite said it reflected a clear need in the community.
Rakau Ora chief executive and founder Vanessa Kite. Photo / Yolisa Tswanya
She said they were trying to show other pathways to support.
“Hospital care absolutely has its place, but it shouldn’t be the first response for every person experiencing distress. Often what people need first is connection, understanding and time.”
The cafe offers a welcoming, non-clinical space where people can access peer support, relax in quiet rooms, connect over pool, share a meal or spend time away from challenges they are facing.
“The beauty of this space is that we’re not rushing people out the door or immediately escalating everything. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply stay present with someone and give them the opportunity to feel heard.”
Kite said the old model was often that people had to reach breaking point before help became available.
“What we are trying to do is provide support much earlier, in a way that feels welcoming, safe and connected to the community.”
Five years ago, Peace Waaki was struggling with addiction and searching for support from people who understood what she was going through.
Today she sits on the other side of the table, using her lived experience to help people in crisis.
After overcoming addiction and entering recovery, she trained in mental health and addiction support and now uses her experience to connect with people seeking help.
“I feel like I speak their language. I tried to reach out to services when I was in addiction, but I didn’t always feel like people were listening.”
Rakau Ora staff member Peace Waaka. Photo / Yolisa Tswanya
She hopes to change that and has learned that sometimes support starts with something as simple as a conversation or meal.
“When they leave here, they are lighter. They say thank you. They are not out on the street angry or distressed. I feel like we are reducing the harm in the community.”
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey said earlier this year that the organisation began delivering peer support groups as part of the Government’s plan to reduce meth harm.
Its Wellness Hub, launched in 2021, had also provided a voluntary, community-led place for people experiencing mental health distress, substance-related harm and homelessness to get support.
”Already, training has been able to be provided for peer support workers, ensuring people coming into the cafe can receive the best peer-led support,” Doocey said.
The cafe is the first of three being established across Northland, with others planned for Whangārei and Kaikohe by the end of the year.
People in Kaitāia who need mental health or addiction support now have another place to turn, with a new crisis recovery cafe open at Rakau Ora. Photo / Yolisa Tswanya
Doocey said Government support had successfully rolled crisis recovery cafes across the country. From January to June, an average of 850 people accessed the cafes each month, increasing to an average of 1148 a month between April and June.
Northland MP Grant McCallum said the opening of Te Whare Tau was a welcome addition to mental health and addiction support in the Far North.
“Having the right support available locally, when people need it, can make a real difference for individuals and their whānau.
“Rakau Ora is already known in Kaitāia and has strong connections with the community. Building on that local knowledge and trust makes a lot of sense.”
Yolisa Tswanya is deputy news director at the Northland Age. An experienced journalist and newsroom leader, she reports across the Far North and Northland, with a particular interest in health, education and community affairs.