From Hurt to Hope

The Salvation Army has been a cornerstone of social support in New Zealand since 1884, providing vital services to those in need. SALT sat down with two recipients of these services, Rewi and Michael, to learn firsthand about the life-changing work happening at Addington Supportive Accommodation and the Bridge Te Arawhata in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

I’ve been battling ever since I was born,’ reflects Rewi. ‘I was a premature baby born into an environment of addiction. We didn’t have much and were extremely poor. I remember waking up to screaming and witnessing a lot of violence. It was extremely traumatic. I wouldn’t wish my childhood on anyone.’ 

Rewi was first introduced to marijuana at 10 years old and to alcohol not long after. As a young child he experienced physical, emotional, mental and sexual abuse. When he was 11 years old, Rewi and his twin brother were often left at home to look after themselves. 

Rewi describes playing rugby league with his brother as the only highlight of his childhood. ‘Sport was the good thing that we held on to. No one saw behind the scenes of our real lives,’ shares Rewi. This ended when he turned up drunk to practice and was turned away. 

‘I remember being naughty at school,’ recalls Rewi. ‘I was expelled from high school at age 14 and hung around with gangs. That’s when stealing cars and smash and grabs started happening. I was just surviving, and crime was a mechanism to keep living. Your mind can’t think of anything positive when you are that hungry.’ 

Rewi and his partner got together when they were 16, and they moved to Whakatū (Nelson) with her son. ‘We moved to get away from all the drugs and the gangs,’ explains Rewi, ‘but I didn’t realise that it was within me, it didn’t matter where I went. It was like drugs and alcohol were magnetised to me.’  

Longing for belonging 

Michael also describes his early years as complex and challenging. ‘Throughout my childhood I had a desire to feel loved and I didn’t have that need met,’ he shares. As a young person he was significantly impacted by several incidents, including sexual abuse, diagnoses of epilepsy and dyslexia, the separation of his parents and his mother’s alcoholism. 

At high school things took a turn for the worse. While there, Michael experienced severe bullying and was sexually assaulted for a second time. This triggered a downward spiral of depression and anxiety, leading him to contemplate ending his life. ‘I was only 15 the first time I tried to kill myself. I had very little self-worth,’ Michael explains. 

Following high school, Michael trained as a mechanic and met a partner who he spent the following 10 years with. He describes this relationship as extremely toxic. ‘I just felt so worthless. That’s when I started to use drugs and alcohol heavily. I just wanted to numb it all and to forget,’ he shares. ‘I began smoking meth to try and get closer to my partner and I got hooked on that.’ 

The blessing of this time was the arrival of Michael’s son, however, Michael faced ongoing battles with his mental health, leading to further suicide attempts as his relationship deteriorated. ‘It’s incredible the power that addiction has over a soul,’ shares Michael. ‘I lost everything to meth. Three times I had to start over with just the clothes on my back, but I still didn’t learn.’ 

Enough is enough 

Then one morning in early March last year, after a night of binging on drugs and alcohol, something shifted in Michael as he woke up. ‘I clearly heard this voice that said, “Don’t you think you’ve had enough?” I knew it wasn’t my voice. Hearing those words gave me the drive and the motivation to want to change,’ explains Michael. He made plans, with the support of his mother, to move into The Salvation Army’s Addington Supportive Accommodation (ASA) in Christchurch. 

ASA is part of a network of Salvation Army supportive accommodation facilities that provides transitional housing in eight locations across New Zealand. Specifically, ASA provides services for people facing complex challenges, including mental health issues, addictions and criminal justice involvement. Support services include counselling, addiction treatment referrals, housing advocacy and employment referrals, as well as kapa haka, Bible study and chaplaincy.

Rewi shared an experience of a similar nature to Michael in November 2023, when he also heard a voice ask the question, “Haven’t you had enough?” 

‘I made my decision that day,’ recalls Rewi. ‘I knew I was going to end up in prison. I could see no end game. So many times, I would wake up and not know what I had done the night before. That voice was so clear. I acted on it and rang for help right away.’ He enrolled at the Bridge Te Arawhata, Christchurch, and began residential treatment in January 2024. 

The Salvation Army Bridge Te Arawhata is a national programme that provides a range of supportive services to those seeking wellness that help reduce the harmful effects of alcohol and other drugs. Bridge services are supported by a range of professional staff who bring a combination of clinical knowledge and lived experience to provide a variety of wraparound support services, including a 12-step programme, residential care, community day programmes, whānau support and Recovery Church. 

New beginnings 

Both men acknowledge God’s goodness, along with the care, compassion and generosity of the dedicated staff as key to how far they’ve come since seeking support from ASA and the Bridge, respectively. 

‘I moved into Addington on Friday 8 March 2024 and on Monday 10 March I made the decision to stop using both drugs and alcohol. From that point on I engaged in every programme The Salvation Army offered, including attending Bible studies and that is when I let Christ into my life,’ shares Michael. 

Michael has been drug and alcohol free for over a year now and describes many blessings in his life since coming to ASA. ‘I am so grateful to God for what he has done in my life,’ says Michael. ‘He took away my marijuana, meth and alcohol addictions—bam!—just like that. I understand that this doesn’t happen for everyone. What a powerful God we serve!’

In August last year, with the support of the staff at ASA, Michael received full custody of his son. ‘I was ready to fight for him, as my ex-partner was still using. I know that the Lord interceded and made this happen. I now get to be the kind of dad he has always wanted.’ 

Rewi shares, ‘Once I made the decision to enter recovery at the Bridge I haven’t looked back. I can’t believe that God was able to break addictions I had carried for over 20 years. I have now been clean for 15 months.’ 

Rewi’s time at the Bridge rekindled his childhood curiosity in the Christian faith and he came to know God through attending an Alpha course. Rewi describes encountering the Holy Spirit as a beautiful experience that confirmed he is on the right path. Through ASA he has also rediscovered a passion for kapa haka and regularly attends Recovery Church with his daughter.  

Connection and community 

Michael and Rewi express deep gratitude for the significant impact the staff at ASA and the Bridge have had on their lives and their recovery. ‘There are so many people who have had such an impact on our journeys,’ shares Michael. Among them is Lloyd Manukau, resident support worker at ASA and the Christchurch Bridge. ‘Matua Lloyd has been there since day one,’ says Rewi. In his role, Lloyd supports Bible studies, the haka roopu and is an active member of the Recovery Church team.

Both men also acknowledge mission officer and chaplain at ASA, Lieutenant Tammy Mohi. ‘Tammy opened my eyes to God and is so supportive of us in everything she does,’ says Michael. A significant part of Tammy’s work revolves around her role in the Awhi team. The Awhi team creates safe spaces for tangata (ASA residents) to share openly, be authentic and build awareness around their wellbeing. Support is offered through small group sessions, one-on-one counselling and employment pathway guidance.

Tammy references 1 Corinthians 12:20–26 when describing the team at ASA. ‘We all have a part to play,’ she says. ‘This passage emphasises the unity and interdependence of all parts of the body of Christ. Each part, regardless of its perceived strength or honour, is indispensable and deserves special care and respect. When one part suffers, the whole body suffers, when one part is honoured, the whole body rejoices.’

Rewi stresses the importance of recovery within a connected community and is quick to recognise the vital role of recovery friends who are available for a ‘real korero’ (conversation). ‘We have true friendships that are based on respect, not on what you’ve got,’ he says.

 ‘I think as men we are given this certain standard to live up to. We can’t cry, we can’t show emotion, we have to be tough,’ explains Rewi. ‘I am grateful for the realisation that it’s all just lies. We are all dealing with heavy day-to-day things and when we have vulnerable spaces to talk, you feel like you can share and are worthy and loved.’ 

Faith for the future 

‘So many doors have opened for me that I couldn’t see in addiction,’ shares Rewi. ‘My partner and I celebrate our 20-year anniversary this month. My daughter is now 13 years old and my son is 21. He recently told me, “I’m proud of you, Dad”. I am so grateful to my family for seeing my potential and giving me another chance. Last year I went up north to see my dad and
to forgive him for the things that happened in the past. Rebuilding these relationships with my whānau is beautiful.’ 

When he considers the future, Rewi shares, ‘I take each day as it comes. I know the Lord has me and I want to be a vessel for him and to help others in the future. I want people to know that you don’t have to live like that. We can break generational chains and trauma. We do have choices.’ 

Michael adds, ‘I quite often reflect on who I used to be. It’s such a blessing to wake up every day; to thank God and to experience the way he wraps his arms around us to let us know it’s going to be okay. In my past life I had nothing. I know that with God I have a future.’