Waiariki Women's Refuge is calling on the community for help to keep its safe house doors open.

The refuge has been operating safe houses for 35 years to support whanau experiencing domestic violence in Rotorua.

As an independent refuge, WWR no longer receives Government funding from the National Collective to run refuge services, and this puts its safe houses at risk.

Waiariki Women's Refuge operate a 24-hour crisis line to support women and children affected by family violence and abuse with safe housing, advocacy, and community-based support tailored to the individual needs of each person.

'We know how important our work is for Rotorua, particularly given the high rates of family harm here," says WWR director Sarah Small.

"WWR has continued to deliver refuge, advocacy, and transitional housing services for over a year without government funding for our refuge services, but we now need help to maintain our safe houses.

"We're asking the community to get behind us and support our pleas to the Government to provide some financial support for our safe houses. To help start the conversation, we will be holding an Open Day on March 25, and we urge the Rotorua public to get involved."

The aim of the open day fundraiser is to boost community support and help maintain its refuge services.

'We'd love to share more information about the work we do and the exciting plans we have for an innovative new sanctuary approach to take whanau safety to the next level. Come and talk to the team at any of our Open Day locations on Saturday.”

Supporters can also donate via the WWR website at:

https://www.waiarikiwomensrefuge.co.nz/donate/

The Waiariki Women's Refuge Open Day on 25 March will run between 10am and 3pm at the following locations:

-Sausage sizzles at Bunnings and 86 Pererika St

-Quality second hand item garage sales at 86 Pererika St and 1281 Hinemoa St

-Donation buckets throughout Rotorua