New Zealand's first 'wet house' - Te Pa Maru - will celebrate its one-year anniversary next month. It's a significant milestone for a project that has been decades in the making , having faced political knockbacks and financial woes since planning began in 2009. However, in September 2023, after a major $6 million refurbishment by Wellington City Mission, the first-of-its-kind facility opened its doors on Taranaki St.
With 18 ensuite bedrooms and round-the-clock staffing, Te Pa Maru provides homeless men with chronic alcoholism a secure home and access to wraparound services, while allowing them to drink on site. Wellington City Missioner Murray Edridge said abstinence was a very high bar for some people, and addiction should not exclude them from access to secure housing. International research showed the opposite of addiction was connection - helping people to stay well and safe, have good rest and nutrition and something useful to do.
"And over time their addictions will decrease." The experience - not tried in New Zealand before - had taken the mission by surprise. "The decrease in consumption and the increase in wellness of our residents since the beginning of April is remarkable, some would say miraculous.
" Edridge cited the case of the first man who had moved in. The mission had had a "difficult" history with him for two years and he had caused some problems in the community. Since April his alcohol consumption has dropped by two thirds.
"He looks better, he's put on w.