February 2026 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 e te whānau mā,
Wherever you are in our amazing region, I hope you are safe and well.
I want to acknowledge the absolute devastation our beautiful region has recently experienced. Our corner of the country has been doing it hard the last couple of winters so to be hit unsuspecting in the middle of summer has dealt a blow to the region that will barely give us time to prepare for the harshness that winter brings.
To those that have lost loved ones, my heart is with you. I hope you give yourselves the care you deserve as you attempt to rebuild your lives one day at a time.
Those of us lucky enough to still have homes to live in, it’s not too late to embrace those who don’t. You can donate any spare linen, crockery or even better, your time, to help other families in our region who are struggling. My mokos have been rummaging through their draws for spare clothes to donate, and we’ve just about emptied our kitchen and laundry cupboards. It doesn’t need to be flash or fancy, just useful to someone in need.
E iti noa ana nā te aroha, A small thing given with love.
TRAINING
We have a new self-directed online learning course for caregivers – Attachment 101.
Attachment 101 will empower you to nurture a healthy relationship with the child or young person in your care. We explore attachment styles and how to foster secure attachments with children who have experienced trauma or adversity.
Registrations are open now for this, or any other course in our caregiver training suite. The current intake closes on Wednesday 4 February.
EVENTS
If you have a donation for those affected by the recent weather in our region, please contact your local radio station, or local council office to find out where the drop off points are located.
🎉 Foster Care Awareness Week (2 – 8 March 2026)
Save the date! Due to other priorities in our region right now, our Foster Care Awareness Week events have been pushed out slightly this year.
* If you are a caregiver in Whakatane, do we have a treat for you! Friday 13 March 2026. Keep an eye out for an invitation to join us for something special.
* Calling Tauranga Caregivers. Monday 16 March 2026. We are all in need of a “pick me up”. Keep an eye on your emails for your invitation.
🌟 Let’s Get Our Hands Dirty for Matariki!
This Matariki, we’re celebrating new beginnings, growing together, and filling both our puku and our hearts.
Join me, Nyvonne Krause, your Regional Coordinator — as I take on a special Matariki challenge: growing my own kai from seed to plate! Every fortnight I’ll be posting updates on our regional Facebook page, sharing the triumphs, the “oops” moments, and all the muddy fun in between:
👉 Caring Families Aotearoa North East Support | Facebook
My garden adventure will lead up to something truly special: 🌱✨ a shared Matariki meal with our region, made with kai grown with aroha.
And I’d love for you and your whānau to join me in May – more details to come!
Grow a few veges, snap a pic now and then, and share your journey with our Facebook whānau. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just giving it a go, we’ll learn — and laugh — together.
If you’re keen to take part, reach out to me here: northeast@caringfamilies.org.nz
Let’s plant, grow, and celebrate Matariki as one community.
SUPPORT
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.
Don’t forget you can 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.
Click below to join our private Facebook group for caregiver members in our region, if you haven’t already. It’s a great way to stay in touch with events, training, My Matariki Garden progress and, of course, connect with others on a similar journey to you.