Te Hā Tangata - The breath of the People
What is Te Hā Tangata?
Te Hā Tangata – the breath of the people – is a Human Library project on Homelessness. Acknowledging that we rarely hear from those experiencing homelessness themselves, this initiative aims to elevate the voices of our street community and challenge the stereotypes and stigma surrounding homelessness.
The Human Library is an international movement that aims to challenge prejudice and discrimination by using storytelling and the idea of a library to facilitate respectful conversations between people.
Our homeless people, our Taonga, are the books. Anyone is welcome to become a reader.
Te Hā Tangata is a collaboration between Wellington’s homeless community, Te Puaroha Compassion Soup Kitchen, Massey University, Kahungunu Whānau Services and Te Whakamura Ai Te Ahi and was funded by the National Commission through our Major Grants fund.
Massey University School of English and Media Studies put together a documentary about the project. It shows the human dimension of the homelessness problem, outlines the project, and points to some of the wider solutions to housing deprivation.
Find out more
Purchase the book
As part of the project a book was written documenting the project’s journey and sharing some of the incredibly moving stories that resulted. It can be purchased here
Follow the Facebook page
Find out about the most recent updates and information about Te Hā Tangata at the project Facebook page