From Free Laundry to Lasting Connections: Orange Sky Celebrates One Year in Whakatāne

More than 2,800 loads of washing later, Orange Sky’s first year in Whakatāne has shown that free laundry can be the doorway to something much bigger.

Through a partnership with Waiariki Whānau Mentoring, Orange Sky first arrived in Whakatāne in 2025 to provide a community-led space where people can access clean clothes, warm showers and connect with volunteers.

Orange Sky provides free laundry and warm showers to those in times of hardship “in a way that upholds mana, strengthens connection, and reflects the values of aroha and manaakitanga.”

Waiariki Whānau Mentoring rangatira Waata Heathcote said he has seen some amazing results from the past year working with the free laundry service.

“It's been an amazing journey… the collaboration, relationship and partnership that we've built with Orange Sky, and the results that we've seen.”

When the service first started up, Heathcote noticed some people were hesitant to reach out and access the support available.

“People are a little bit whakamā or embarrassed to access something that's actually free in the community,” he said.

“I definitely believe that embarrassment or whakamā was a part of the process with respect to those living rough, or those that are just continuing to struggle in the current cost-of-living environment.”

Heathcote said the fact that the service was free could itself be a barrier, with “stereotypical mindsets” around accessing free support in the community.

“The need for the support and the service was always there.”

“It was about being the bridge and the conduit to be able to access those particular whānau, irrespective of their ethnic background, knowing that that was a safe space,” he said.

“The word has got out in the community.”

Heathcote said Orange Sky had become “more than just washing and drying clothes” for the community, creating an opportunity for Waiariki Whānau Mentoring to connect people with further support.

“We've demonstrated within Waiariki that there's a new way of being able to do things. In partnership and in relationship with kaupapa such as Orange Sky,” he said.

As Orange Sky prepares to expand across the wider Bay of Plenty over the next six to eight months, Heathcote said the Whakatāne experience had shown the importance of trust and accessibility.

“Once you get access, easy engagement, built on trust, people will come and engage with you.”