About Gandhi Nivas

The service was originally set up to address the problem of family harm in the Indian community but it now helps people of all ethnicities.

The Gandhi Nivas logo features the lotus flower, a symbol of growth over adversity, because it finds its way out of its difficult, muddy roots to rise up and blossom.

It's a partnership between the Serenity Foundation, New Zealand Police, Total Healthcare PHO and Sahaayta Counselling & Social Support.

Sahaayta Counselling & Social Support provides help from counsellors, social workers, alcohol and drug practitioners, support workers and volunteers.

Get the Gandhi Nivas Brochure

Download

Gandhi Nivas symbolises a home of peace. It takes its name from Gandhi – a man of peace and nivas meaning home.

Our story

This home of peace offering men hope grew from talks between Counties Manukau Police and its South Asian Police Advisory Board of which Ranjna Patel, Nirvana Health Group and Gandhi Nivas founder, is a member.

Ranjna formed the Serenity Foundation to support and fundraise for Gandhi Nivas.

Sahaayta Counselling & Social Support has a team of registered counsellors, social workers, alcohol and drug practitioners, support workers and volunteers who work in the Gandhi Nivas houses.

Gandhi Nivas was established using a Lotteries Commission grant and receives on-going funding and support from Counties Manukau Police, ACC, Total Healthcare PHO, Massey University, the Ministry of Social Development, Catholic Services, and other private funders.

What the statistics show

A Massey University study from December 2014 to December 2015 of Gandhi Nivas showed early positive results:

93%

Did not re-offend

93% of clients had not been involved in another family harm incident.

90%

Had help within 24 hours

90% of all men referred to Gandhi Nivas had help within 24 hours.

The Massey University researchers praised Gandhi Nivas for its rapid response to police referrals, the service’s high standard of community leadership, and its culturally appropriate services provided by Sahaayta Counselling & Social Support.

More facts and figures from the Massey study 

  • The 7% of men who offended after coming to Gandhi Nivas had refused to engage with services offered.
  • Number of men committing family harm offences 12 months prior to engaging with GN: 16 men committed 33 offences.
  • Number of men committing family harm offences after intervention: Seven committed 14 offences.
  • Decrease in the frequency of offending after intervention: 57.6%
  • 90% of men referred to Gandhi Nivas had intervention within 24 hours.
  • Across all years prior to intake, the average number of offences annually per offender was 2.26. Post-intake, the average number of offences was two.
  • The comparison of average recorded offences prior to and after intake shows an 11.1% decrease in the number of recorded offences.
  • The average number of occurrences involving offenders decreased after intake by 13.6%.