August 2025 Caregiver News: North East Region
Nyvonne Krause
Kaitakawaenga (Cultural Advisor) & North East Regional Coordinator
M: 027 501 0395
E: northeast@caringfamilies.org.nz
Kia ora koutou katoa
Matariki is but a warm memory as we journey full steam ahead towards Christmas! How lucky are we in Aotearoa that we get to celebrate the new year twice? Speaking of celebrating, August/Here-turi-koka is a very special month in our history. On the first of August 1987, The Maori Language Act came into force, making te reo Māori an official language of New Zealand. Tau ke/awesome!
Another reason to celebrate August is it’s the last winter month. Before you know it, we’ll be coming out of hibernation and making a list of jobs for spring. One of our priorities will be the garden. The mokos have big plans for me that include strawberries and watermelons. I will keep you updated on how we go. August is also the month that Louis Armstrong was born. I have included a link to his very famous song “Wonderful world”, it has a lovely video to go along with it. Enjoy.
Training
Have you tried our new training? It is designed so you can complete in your own time – you don’t have to leave your slippers, and you can go back and redo it again and again. I highly recommend giving it a go. If you have tried it, what did you think?
Caregiving 101 withdrawn
You may be aware that we were expecting to release Caregiving 101 this month. This training has been temporarily withdrawn to ensure it gives you all the tools you need when beginning your caregiving journey.
If you have already registered for Caregiving 101, please know that you will be the first to know when it becomes available. We apologise for this inconvenience, but we really want to make sure Caregiving 101 is right for you. If you have any questions, please email training@caringfamilies.org.nz
New course available
National Care Standards Part 2: Supporting the wellbeing, development and education of children and young people in care – now sits alongside Parts 1 and 3 of our National Care Standards training.
As is the case with all our self-directed online training, National Care Standards Part 2 can be completed online at a time and date that suits you. However, if you’d like to get underway this month, please make sure you register by midday Wednesday 6 August 2025. Too busy? Don’t worry – you can select a start date for later in the year, instead.
Click below to learn more about our full range of self-directed courses.
EVENTS
I want to thank the lovely people who hosted and connected with me on my little road trip around the Northeast region in June. I had such a ball making new friends and catching up with old friends.
I enjoyed the amazing hospitality of Te Runganga o Ngāti Porou and then Turanga Services in Gisborne. The work you guys are doing is phenomenal. I also enjoyed a giggle and hot chocolate with some beautiful caregivers, who were trying to convince me that art and wine are a good time. All I’m going to say is, Watch this space hahaha.
From Gisborne I headed up the highway 35, and yes, we stopped at Tokomaru for a paua pie, spending the night in Waihau Bay, connecting with old friends in Te Whānau a Apanui. Next day, bright and early we headed to Whakatāne where I had an incredible day with caregivers from Te Tohu o Te Ora o Ngāti Awa. I felt so honoured to have been given the privilege to share space with some very special people. On the last leg of my journey, I got to reconnect with the very lovely Carol Lashlie-Davies, a regional committee member, and other caregivers from around Tauranga. What a treat to sit and listen to the wisdom being shared around the table as they brainstormed how to support one another.
I want to share a special little moment of kindness that was afforded to me. I got a call from the Gisborne toy library who had received a donation from an elderly lady, with strict instructions they were to pass the donation on to Caring Families Aotearoa. I picked up the donation and it was a little family of knitted dolls. The words shared with me were “Please make sure these go to children who need someone to cuddle”. Isn’t that the loveliest thought? I have taken some photos of the little dolls and if you believe they could be a cuddle buddy for your child, let me know and I will make sure they get to you safely. You can contact me on northeast@caringfamilies.org.nz
SUPPORT
Having a social support network is so important to us as we can often feel isolated when we care for children with high needs.
Caring Families Aotearoa offers a few ways you can connect with others on the same journey as you. Our regional closed Facebook group page is a non-intrusive way to connect with other caregivers that are members of Caring Families Aotearoa. Click the button below to join.
You can also call me for support or if you need someone to talk to – 027 501 0392 or email northeast@caringfamilies.org.nz
My hours of work are 8.30am – 4.30pm Monday to Thursday.
Or you can call our national office 0800 693 323.
If you are a caregiver and would like to host a coffee group in your area, get in touch with me and I can help you organise this.
Noho ora mai, take care, keep well,
Nyvonne