On a hot February evening in Downtown Tauranga people begin to gather at the bus stops opposite the public library to mingle, chat and share kai. Kind souls bring their smiles and plenty of food to feed whoever needs it; others come because they’re hungry. It doesn’t matter who’s who – they are one community, our community, right in the heart of Tauranga. There’s talk, laughter and, most of all, aroha in abundance. It’s Monday, Milo Night, and everyone is welcome.
Milo Night has never missed a Monday since 2017 when a small group of volunteers began offering hot milo drinks from a couple of flasks to people sleeping rough around the city. Now the core team of volunteers, known as the Street Kai Auntys, aim to feed around 100 ‘peeps’ – as they’re warmly known – every week, for free. Some peeps sleep rough, or couch surf, others sleep in cars or tents with their children. Some work but still struggle to pay the bills and feed their families. ‘Would you like some kai?’ is the only question asked.
Since last year, when the Council banned begging and rough sleeping within 5m of shop entrances in the CBD, the Auntys have redoubled their efforts to help make a difference to the lives of a growing number of people in our community who are struggling. Aunty Tracey Carlton says the bylaw pushed the issue of homelessness aside, without offering a helpful solution.
“It effectively pushed the peeps into the shadows and away from shelter, access to water, public toilets, social services and lighting and security cameras. It also took them away from their street whānau and community support.”
CAN YOU HELP STREET KAI?
Cook: the Auntys can collect food from you if you don’t want to attend Milo Nights or aren’t able to get there. Please call 027 456 7849 or email: milonights@yahoo. com if you can help.
Donate: it costs the equivalent of $700 to feed around 100 people on Milo Nights and provide basic needs, such as toiletries and sanitary products. All donations are gratefully accepted – even $5 a week will make a big difference.
Please visit streetkai.org for bank account details to donate funds directly.
Earlier this year submissions were heard on the proposal to revoke the bylaw and Tracey and the Street Kai team are lobbying Council for a different approach. They would like to see a wellbeing hub set up near the CBD where the city’s homeless can come during the day to shower, wash clothes and get medical help. Her vision, ultimately, is that all peeps will be housed and Milo Night won’t be needed. Until then she has committed to be an advocate for
the voiceless, and her work is rippling out. “It’s changing the conversation in the community and raising awareness. Before Milo Night, we didn’t have that.”
THE NIGHT BEGINS
Dr Sandrine Fabre is one of the first Auntys to arrive at 4.30pm. With her box of supplies she sits on the footpath behind the public toilets and offers first aid to anyone who needs medical attention. In terms of hygiene it’s less than ideal, but she does the best she can cleaning and dressing wounds, attending to foot problems and a myriad of health issues that the peeps have no other means of dealing with. The limited access to personal cleaning facilities simply perpetuates the chronic problems, and next week they’ll likely be back again.
Originally from Reunion Island off the east coast of Africa, Dr Fabre is not a registered GP in New Zealand but says it is an honour to be part of the Street Kai team and serve this population of people. She is studying for her PhD in homelessness and access to care at the end of life, at Waikato University.
“There is extreme poverty where I come from, but here it is more insidious and hidden. From my study I hope to provide some deep change for homeless people here and accessibility to healthcare, particularly at the end of life.”
Meanwhile, Tracey offers water to the growing crowd. There’s a huge need for hydration especially on this hot Monday with temperatures still in the 30s. Aunty Margaret Collins arrives with juicy watermelon slices that disappear before she’s even rounded the group. “I should have brought more,” she says.
Margaret is a yoga teacher and comes down every Monday night to be with the people. “I will always speak out when I see injustice,” she says. “As a white, educated woman living in New Zealand I know how enormously privileged I am, so it is with great joy that I share with other people. There is no distinction between ourselves and the people we meet at Street Kai; we are all a team.”
KAI TO SHARE
By 5.30pm more Auntys arrive with loads of food – hearty homemade chicken pies, pasta bakes, and casseroles. It’s simple yet filling and delicious food, made with love and respect. The serving tables are up, the lines are forming and Tracey welcomes everyone to another Milo Night. They gratefully tuck in, filling recyclable containers and enjoying their nourishing meal.
“Are you hungry? Come and have more food,” says Annamarie Kraitzick as she offers the last of the kai into grateful hands and makes room on the tables for cakes and other baking. An early childhood teacher by day, she puts a day aside every week to cook for the homeless – whatever she can in her own kitchen.
“By nature I’m a shy person and I felt this is a way I can do my bit, to give back to my community. I feel honoured to be in a position to do what I can and they are so grateful. I cook with dignity and respect because the food needs to look inviting – this is my way of showing respect to the recipients.”
Annamarie was attracted to Street Kai because it had no affiliation to any religious group or foundation. “Just ordinary ladies who were trying to do what they could,” she says. And men too, of course. Hughie Kraitzick, Annamarie’s husband, also provides a valuable service, collecting food donations, delivering Annamarie’s meals and lending a hand on Milo Nights while on a 45-minute break from his evening bus driver shift.
Then there’s Sam, the barber, who cheerfully offers slick fades to spruce up the grateful queue of peeps. They tell him what they want, and a few minutes later leave his stool standing tall, a smile on their face.
Young, elderly – they all help. Two children have come with their dad and nana to serve fresh homemade samosas; Aunty G (a gentleman) brings a tray of meatballs every Monday night, and an 86-year old woman rarely misses a week with her contribution of a dozen boiled eggs.
STEPPING UP TO HELP
Another Aunty, Anne Butler, became part of the Street Kai team 18 months ago. She cooks, picks up baking from neighbours and helps out on Milo Night. She also mends clothes for the peeps and makes ponchos from woollen blankets. One gentleman, I’m told, never takes his off, and sure enough, there he is on this hot February evening, with his poncho slung over his shoulder. Anne has more requests for the coming winter.
“I saw a problem and thought about the most useful thing I could do to help sort that problem,” she says. “That’s what I’d like to see: for people to start thinking about other people and what’s happening on their doorstep. Do something; step up and help us.”
By around 6.30pm all the food is gone and Aunty Pip Brook finishes up distributing newly purchased underwear, socks, toiletries and sanitary products from her car. The peeps give thanks and say their goodbyes, then drift away to their uncertain lives. It’s been two hours of joy, watching a community come together to give and receive, and share love. To Aunty Gaynor Wilkie, also a yoga teacher, Milo Nights are the best part of her week.
“I love hanging out with the peeps; it’s my absolute joy and pleasure to be accepted by them,” she says. “We’ve gone from one thermos and a rickety table to feeding over 100 peeps, caring for them, clothing them and helping them with medical issues – I think we’re doing a bloody great job.”
