Just do it yourself!

Matawai mother Robyn Tomlinson reckons she learns by “doing”, so was first in line for a lesson on plastering at Turanga Health’s latest DIY in the Whare this month. 

“I came down because I wanted to know how to fix my home, and how to do it myself.”

Robyn is one of over 100 whānau around the rohe who has visited a Turanga Health DIY in the Whare event hosted in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity this year.

Each two hour event is a one-stop do-it-yourself expo where visitors can learn tips and tricks to remedy and repair their home.

Visitors learn how to plaster a hole in the wall, fix leaking taps, and heat their house for less. Visitors are also invited to bring their power bills and let the experts from Electric Village take a look and work out how to bring their monthly power bill down.

Brett Goddard from Alpha Electrical, plasterer Noah Lee, DIY guru John Wauchop, and Smart Energy insulation company make up the advisory contingent.

Popping down to the event at Matawai School was a no-brainer for mother of two Robyn. A hole in the wall created by a rat seeking shelter from the Matawai winter can now be filled in folllwing her hands on lesson with plasterer Noah Lee.

“It was simple, it was easy to follow, and I will definitely be able to replicate that at home,” says Robyn.
Matawai business woman Sue Seymour visited DIY in the Whare to get some advice about a carpentry project. She wants to build a ramp and needed to understand what might be involved before she commits herself to the project.

“This has been good and I’ve learned a lot.”

Turanga Health chief executive Reweti Ropiha says when whānau can repair or make their own items for their home there are obvious benefits in terms of money saved.

“There are also many hidden benefits such as transferable skills, inspiring your children to try projects, and self-reliance that makes you less inclined to panic when things do go wrong.”
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Reweti says whānau may not save a tremendous amount the first time they are called upon to use, for example, their sink-repair skills, “but if you do this three times throughout your life you'll undoubtedly save money in the long run.”

DIY in the Whare events have been held at Te Karaka, Muriwai, Whatatutu, Manutuke, Patutahi, Matawai, Mangatu and Waiherere. 

Keep an eye on Facebook/Turanga Health for the next DIY in the Whare.

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