Today the Te Puea Marae bid farewell to the teenager only known as "B" and her family, but they weren't sad -- the 16-year-old cancer patient now has a home to call her own.
B and her family of six moved to Auckland from Hamilton to be closer to Starship Children's hospital where the best treatment was available, after a tumour was found on her lower back and she was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
The family were staying at a relative's crowded Mangere address but things "were getting tense", and B's father couldn't find a house for the family to move to.
This was when they heard about what was happening at TePuea Marae -- so they moved in and were welcomed as part of the whanau.
But now, they finally have their own home -- a place where they can feel safe and B can get better.
She says the whole experience has been overwhelming and she and her two young brothers are just excited to get inside.
She's already picked her bedroom -- the biggest one. She finally has her own space to be a teenage girl, and her brothers aren't allowed in it.
"I'm really thankful," says B.
"Thank you to everyone for everything they've done to help me and my family."
Te Puea Marae wishes them all the best, and chairman Hurimoana Dennis says it was their pleasure to help B and her family.
"We're so excited for them, prior to this stage they didn't have a lot going for them," says Mr Dennis.
"[We] wish her and her family god speed, god bless, look after yourself and your family and get on with your lives as you know you need to."
This family's case is one of many at Te Puea. Volunteers are desperately trying to find new homes for those in need.
"There's going to be many, many more of these moments," says Mr Dennis.
"Quite frankly the agencies that are here -- the CYF services team, our food department, our clothing department -- all doing what we do very well.
"And we do it with just a breath of fresh air, on a voluntary basis."
Newshub.
