New Caregiver Training
Our online self-directed learning is here! In May 2025, we released two new courses: National Care Standards (Part 3, Assessment and Support for Caregivers) and What are Adverse Childhood Experiences?
We know that many of our caregiver members love to learn more about therapeutic parenting, but training is hard to fit into busy days. That’s why we’re excited to introduce our new online, self-directed approach to training. Click below to learn more!
Foster Care Awareness Week 2025
We celebrated Foster Care Awareness Week in March 2025, with some special events for caregivers.
Foster Care Awareness Week is an annual celebration to recognise our wonderful caregiver members who put in the mahi every day to care for some of Aotearoa’s most vulnerable children.
Our amazing Regional Coordinators organised some special events throughout the month of March to celebrate caregivers and all that they do.
Click below for highlights!
Caring Families Aotearoa (formerly Fostering Kids New Zealand) was formed in 1976 to help caregiving families.
Caring Families Aotearoa exists to support the thousands of children in care in Aotearoa, by supporting their caregivers. We help children heal.
Caregiver members receive FREE training, support and advocacy.
Our Work
Caring Families Aotearoa exists to support the thousands of children in care in Aotearoa, by supporting their caregivers.
Caregiving is a broad term – it covers anyone raising a child that isn’t their own. This includes foster caregivers, whānau caregivers, respite caregivers and permanent (home for life) caregivers.
Caregivers
Being a caregiver (foster or whānau) can be challenging, and it is vital that you never feel alone during your caregiving journey.
Strong support is important to ensure stable and secure homes for children in care. Caring Families Aotearoa offers our members a variety of support options.
Professionals
Caring Families Aotearoa works in partnership with other organisations and iwi to meet the needs of the community.
This includes training and supporting professionals who work alongside caregivers to ensure a safe and healing home.
Caregiver Training
The training offered by Caring Families Aotearoa is for caregivers parenting tamariki and rangatahi (children and young people) who have relationship difficulties, especially children who have experienced insecure attachments, trauma, loss and or separation, or family violence. All our training pays special attention to the parenting attitude of PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy).
Caregiver Support
Being a caregiver (foster or whānau) can be challenging, and it is vital that you never feel alone during your caregiving journey. Strong support is important to ensure a stable and secure home for children in care. Caring Families Aotearoa offers our members a variety of support options; one on one support, support groups and facebook groups.
Help us Support Caregivers
We provide encouragement, professional training and support so foster and whānau caregivers can do their best for vulnerable children, helping them to prosper and learn to love and trust again.
But we can’t do this alone. With your help we make a positive impact and help to transform the lives of thousands of children in care in New Zealand.
Become a Member
If you are caring for tamariki or rangatahi not born to you, we can provide you with support, advocacy, therapeutic training and information.
Membership is free. Join the thousands of caregivers in Aotearoa who receive free support, training and advocacy.
Please click the button below and complete the online form to become a member of Caring Families Aotearoa or to update your details.
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