Ricky Houghton
New Zealand Local Hero of the Year
2018
Kiwibank
New Zealand Local Hero of the Year
Te Pou Toko o te Tau
Ricky has had a life of challenge and has responded by focusing on ensuring others are freed from adversity and crises and given love, hope and a pathway to a better future. As leader of the He Korowai Trust in Kaitaia since its inception in the early 2000′s he has led a positive change to the people of the Far North.
Over the past 10 years, Ricky has saved over 550 homes from Mortgagee sale in the Far North, keeping 6400 vulnerable kiwis housed. He has overseen services in justice and whanau development to more than 800 whanau. He has created Whare Ora, a unique housing programme providing homes to the homeless and addressing holistic development needs in a Kaupapa Maori way. Nine families who were living in cow sheds, car ports and the streets have now entered a housing programme where they receive food, health care, education for children in a safe, alcohol free, drug free, violence free community.
Supported by Foundation North, Ricky is now leading a new project of engaging local youth in trade training and entrepreneurship developing skills through renovating and building homes for those most in need.
