Family Fun Days
tickets now available!
Family Fun Days are back for 2023 and registrations for tickets are now open! We have 29 events happening around the country this year.
Family Fun Days are FREE events for caregivers to enjoy a fun day out at the pool or movies with their whānau.
Regional Hui 2023
SECURE YOUR SPOT TODAY!
Regional hui are hosted around the motu (country) by our Regional Coordinators every second year, alternating with our National Conference.
These hui are free, full-day events for caregivers, with varied and exciting programmes that will have something for everyone.
This year we are excited to be hosting regional hui in Dunedin, Auckland South, and Rotorua.
Click below to register now – you don’t want to miss this!
Excellence in Foster Care Awards 2024
Nominations now OPEN!
Do you know a caregiver who goes above and beyond and deserves to be recognised for their incredible mahi? Now is your chance to nominate them!
The Excellence in Foster Care Awards is our annual award ceremony hosted in collaboration with Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Open Home Foundation, and Barnardos New Zealand to congratulate 10 extraordinary caregivers in Aotearoa who are looking after children that are not their own.
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.
Caring Families Aotearoa (formerly Fostering Kids New Zealand) was formed more than 40 years ago to help caregiving families.
We are here to support families who open their homes and hearts to tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people) in need of care and protection.
News
Recent Updates
September Message from Linda 2023
Kia ora I’m sure you are all as delighted as I am that spring is here, and winter is done and...
Dakota’s Foster Care Story
Dakota's Foster Care StoryDakota Albert is a 26-year-old mum to three gorgeous boys, and a wife to...
Linda’s August Message 2023
Kia ora Thank you to those of you who provided feedback on our *Care & Protection Green Paper....