Prisoners from Waikeria Prison's Te Whare o Te Ao Marama have been providing their time and labour to support Waikato Women's Refuge Te Whakaruruhau by renovating a donated house into a home that will shield women and children from violence.
Up to six men at a time, who have been approved to work off prison grounds, have been working on the project for about six weeks.
Te Rau Aroha (a challenge of love) is the name local kaumatua have given to the house, one of six run by Te Whakaruruhau.
The work party has been erecting fences, preparing footpath areas, and laying concrete to prepare the place for the whanau who will use it.
The prisoners involved are passionate about this work, said prison director Kevin Smith.