OCTOBER 2025 Lower North Caregiver News
Tēnā koutou katoa,
Thank you to everyone who put a little orange token in Caring Families Aotearoa box at their Z station during the “Good in the Hood” promotion. It’s an easy way for you to donate to us, simply by filling up your car. Thank you so much, we really appreciate your support. Also, a special thank you to our volunteers in Levin and Napier, doing their part for CFA! Thank you, Fleur and Lisa.
Also a huge thank you to the Sprig and Fern Petone for selecting Caring Families Aotearoa for their charity of choice last month on their Quiz Night. A big thanks to the staff at the Sprig and Fern, the Quizmaster David, and our National Office staff, who helped run the quiz on the night. We raised $2,538.00, and proceeds from the quiz nights will continue to help us to support our caregiver members raising children in care. (Photo below of me, Rob and Quizmaster David.)
As we enter warmer weather, I am planning to do a few afternoons of fish and chips on the beach with family and friends to fill my cup. I love being around the ocean and after being cooped up inside over the winter I can’t wait to break free! I hope that as the weather becomes warmer for you, that you will step outside and enjoy that fresh air and longer nights.
Finally, if you know of a caregiver who is deserving of an Excellence in Foster Care Award and you want to nominate them, you can do that here.
This is a wonderful opportunity to recognise caregivers who go above and beyond on their caregiving journey. We wish we could award all our amazing caregivers, but the awards are a way of representing the amazing work of foster carers; their win is our win, and it reminds others of the important work we do.
Dates for your diary:
- 23rd October is the final date to have your Extraordinary Care Fund applications in
- 24th October Registrations close for Excellence in Foster Care Awards
- 27th October is Labour Day
Training
As you may be aware, all our training is now self-directed and online.
Our next self -directed online course for release in October is ‘Developmental and Historical Trauma.’
Developmental trauma arises from ongoing childhood experiences like abuse or neglect, disrupting healthy growth and leading to lasting emotional and psychological challenges. Historical trauma is the collective emotional and psychological damage experienced by a group over generations due to significant historical events like colonisation, slavery, war or genocide.
To register for this course in-take for Ocotber, and other online self-directed training, click below.
Keep an eye out for updates as we will continue to roll out new courses every month.
If you would like some more information about our new training format, or you are unsure about how it works, please do get in touch! Also, let me know if you are part of a support group and would like to do the training as a group. I would be happy to lead this training.
Once you have completed our new courses, let me know what you think – I’d love to hear your feedback!
EVENTS
Family Fun Days are open for registration!
Don’t delay – registrations close three weeks before each event so we can be sure your tickets arrive in plenty of time. We have heard that for some events tickets are nearly sold out so get in quick!
- 26th October, Hawkes Bay, Napier Aquatic Centre
- 1st November, Palmerston North, Lido Aquatic Centre
- 2nd November, Taranaki, Todd Aquatic Centre
- 22nd November, Lower Hutt, Te Ngaengae pools
- 23rd November, Wairarapa, Masterton Trust House Aquatic Centre
- 30th November, Wellington, Te Rauparaha Arena
- 29th November, Whanganui, Whanganui Splash Centre
Remember to book in at the same time as your friends.
I want to share a big thank you to Voyce, Tautoko Aroha, Oranga Tamariki, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Lisa Opie representing CFA and volunteers in the Hawkes Bay for collaborating with us to deliver a wonderful Dessert afternoon for caregivers and their whanau. It wouldn’t have been possible without your help and support. It was a wonderful afternoon of fun and enjoyment for all who attended. I’ll try to share some of the photos on my Regional Facebook page this week.
SUPPORT
My hours of work have changed, I will now be working Monday, Tuesday Wednesday, and Friday from 8.30am – 4.30pm.
SUPPORT GROUPS
Wellington Family and Foster Care Association
Date: Wednesday 17th October
Time: 10:30am
Location: Cafe Thyme – Twiglands Churton Park, 238 Middleton Road, Glenside, Wellington
RSVP: Tori Morris 027 425 4709
Levin PACE Support Group
Date: Wednesday 15th October
Time: 10am
Location: Salvation Army, 11 Durham Street
Details: We will be discussing therapeutic parenting, validating the ‘E” in PACE. Tea and Coffee will be provided.
RSVP: Jan Ladhams 021 089 70272
Palmerston North Support Group
Date: Wednesday 8th October
Time: 10am
Location: All Sorts Café, 515 Main Street, Palmerston North Central.
Join us for caregiver connection and engagement.
Child friendly Café, but caregivers are required to always supervise their child.
RSVP: Bev McKay 027 459 7626
Manawatu Foster Care Association
Date: Friday 31st October 2025
Time: 10.30am
Venue: Feilding Library cafe
Morning tea cost covered.
RSVP: Judy 027 758 3624
Taranaki Support Group
Date: Thursday 23rd October
Time: 10am – 12pm
Venue TBC
Join us for caregiver engagement and connection. Coffee and Tea will be provided.
RSVP to Nigel Christie 021 595 956
FACEBOOK SUPPORT GROUPS
For the Lower North Region, I update and administer the following three Caring Families Aotearoa Support Facebook Groups. Please click the buttons below to join, if you haven’t already!
Ngā mihi,
Ebony