A new permanent laundry service for Tauranga’s most vulnerable residents has been launched, offering a practical solution and a place of connection for those experiencing hardship.
The not-for-profit organisation Orange Sky Aotearoa has installed a laundry pod at the Cliff Road Community Hall, the base of local charity Under the Stars, which provides free meals and support to those in need.
The new facility, which features washing machines and dryers, will be available during the charity’s meal services every Thursday and Saturday. This allows guests to have their clothes cleaned while they eat, shower, and access other essential services like haircuts, toiletries, and clothing.
This initiative marks Orange Sky’s third permanent laundry pod in the country and its sixth service nationwide. It was made possible by a $30,000 donation from the Hugo Charitable Trust and further support from the Awhero Nui Charitable Trust.
The permanent pod is a direct response to a growing need for accessible hygiene facilities in Tauranga. According to Tauranga City Council figures, about 4,000 people, or 2.8 per cent of the city’s population, are experiencing some form of homelessness. The launch also follows last month’s national homelessness summit, which was held in the city.
For Ani Stace, the strategic partnership and funding manager at Under the Stars, the arrival of the Orange Sky pod is the realisation of a long-held dream. Her personal experience with the service during the Covid-19 lockdowns, when she was living in a remote community with restricted water access, highlighted its profound impact.
“I used the service myself,” Ms Stace said. “It was such a relief when everyone was stretched thin and the experience really stuck with me. We’ve talked about the possibility of a permanent laundry facility at Under The Stars for years, so having Orange Sky offer this on-site now is truly magical!”
Orange Sky, which started in Australia in 2014 and expanded to New Zealand in 2018, is renowned for its distinctive orange vans that provide mobile laundry and shower services across the country. The organisation says the permanent pods are designed to offer a reliable, long-term presence in communities with a high level of need.
Kat Doughty, senior impact manager at Orange Sky Aotearoa, said the partnership with a trusted local charity like Under the Stars was crucial.
“At Orange Sky, we believe in the power of connection, and this new permanent laundry pod in Tauranga allows us to offer not just clean clothes, but a moment of warmth, and kōrero,” Ms Doughty said. “Partnering with Under the Stars means we can meet people where they are — in a space they already trust and feel safe in.”
Since its New Zealand launch, Orange Sky, with the help of over 350 volunteers, has washed more than 31,500 loads of laundry, provided almost 15,000 hot showers, and dedicated over 46,000 hours to conversation and connection with the people it serves in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch, and Hawke’s Bay.