APRIL 2026 Central North Caregiver News
Christie McGiven
Central North Regional Coordinator
Ph: 0800 693 323
Mob: 027 501 0393
Kia ora e hoa mā, hello friends
Recently, a group of caregivers heard from Brooke from Potential to Performance at the Beyond Behaviour event in South Auckland. We explored the needs of neurodivergent children and teens and how we can think about and approach different situations in a safe and compassionate way.
I really appreciated the phrase ‘and that’s okay’ as a way of giving acceptance to each person involved. I am going to be tagging this on to the end of a lot of sentences as a way of reframing the situation:
“Your brain needed more time to process what I just said, and that’s okay.”
“I feel frustrated that we are in this situation again, and that’s okay.”
“I didn’t handle that as well as I could have, and that’s okay.”
In the first week of March, we had a great time wandering the Redwood Forest in Rotorua and enjoying a delicious wood-fire pizza lunch in celebration of Foster Care Awareness Week. I am reminded of how good for the soul it is to be surrounded by the ngahere (forest), moving my body and enjoying good food with amazing people.
If you have ideas or are keen to have an event in your area, I’d love to hear from you!
What events would you like to see in your area?
Training
How Trauma impacts the Child’s Brain
Have you ever wondered why children who have experienced trauma may react in ways that seem puzzling or overwhelming? In our new training How Trauma impacts the Child’s Brain, you will learn how young brains develop and how trauma can disrupt this process. Understanding these changes can help you respond with empathy and provide the right support children need to heal and grow.
To find out more about this course and register please click below. Registrations close at 5pm on Thursday 2 April, so be quick!
EVENTS
Hamilton Café Meet Up Series – Legal Information
Join me for morning tea and a chat with Ethan from Community Law Waikato to learn more about their services. We’ll be meeting at 10am on Wednesday 22 April at Mavis Lounge, 14 Karewa Place, Pukete.
Come with any questions about family court processes, Custody and Guardianship, Access/contact legal issues, Wills and Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA) or your wonderings about supporting rangatahi navigating legal issues.
Register your attendance: centralnorth@caringfamilies.org.nz
Save the Date! Waikato Event
Beyond Behaviour: Supporting Neurodivergence through a Trauma Informed Lens
Are you caring for a child who sees the world differently? It can be incredibly difficult to untangle the threads of a child’s behaviour. Is this a trauma response? Is it Autism or ADHD? Or is it a complex mix of both?
Join us for a morning of learning, kōrero and lunch as we explore all things related to supporting neurodivergence through a trauma-informed lens, guided by Brooke Trenwith.
- Date: Thursday 21 May
- Time: 10:30am-1:30pm, (lunch is provided)
- Location: Cambridge Community House, 193 Shakespeare Street.
Please RSVP below.
support
Don’t forget, you can call me for support or if you need someone to talk to – 027 501 0393 or email centralnorth@caringfamilies.org.nz
My hours of work are 9am-5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am-2:30pm Friday.
Or you can call our national office 0800 693 323.
Hamilton Support Group
We are back to meeting on the 1st Wednesday of the month, so please join us 10am on Wednesday 6 May at Punnet Café, 337 Newell Road, Hamilton. Come along for a relaxed chat and catch up (each member covers their own food and drink), for more information, contact Christie – centralnorth@caringfamilies.org.nz
Rotorua Support Group
Date: Wednesday 22 April
Time: 10am-12pm
Location: 21 Sala Street.
Please RSVP to Lena (027 253 0115)
Pukekohe/Franklin
Date: Friday 24 April,
Time: 10am-12pm
Location: The Hidden Café, 994C Paerata Road, Paerata.
Please RSVP to Joy (027 290 0618)
Manukau/South Auckland – TBC
INDICATIONS OF INTEREST – Join our Team
We’re on the lookout for some wonderful volunteers to help with our Regional Committees and caregiver support groups. If you have a couple of hours per month to give and would like to meet a range of people caregiving in your local area, please go to this website page for more information and email me.
Tiaki i a koutou anō, look after yourselves!
Christie