With increased financial pressure the Tauranga Women's Refuge is in need of a new people mover.
The refuge has two vehicles it uses, but one of them is on its way out.
It's heartbreaking this has happened to us at this time. We use the movers daily, day and night.
Recently while transporting a family over the Kaimai Range it overheated and shut down; a refuge staff member had to manoeuvre the vehicle with a family inside to the side of the road.
Read more: Special report: Tauranga refuge seeing more extreme violence
Yesterday the Bay of Plenty Times revealed examples of the P-fuelled domestic violence cases the Tauranga Women's Refuge has dealt with recently in the region.
Manager Angela Warren-Clarke said the increase in violence came at a time when the refuge was struggling. "Financially we are in as much need as we have ever been," she said.
The vehicle which broke down on the Kaimai Range was now sitting in a repair shop with a $1500 repair bill attached.
"It's money we don't have and we need a second vehicle. Our people mover gets our families from A to B safely. It gets them to other refuges; it gets them to appointments across the city; and it's big enough to fit five children, a mum, all their worldly possessions and one of our staff to drive.
"It's heartbreaking this has happened to us at this time. We use the movers daily, day and night."
Read more: Woman escapes violent past with 'knowledge'
Mrs Warren-Clark said ideally they needed a new van and would start fundraising for one in the next financial year.
"I can't justify spending that money and not know it's going to work."
Mrs Warren-Clark said she could not have a vehicle that put her staff and Tauranga families in danger.