August 2026 Upper North Caregiver News

Hutia te rito o te harakeke 
Kei hea te kōmako e kō 
Kī mai ki ahau 
He aha te mea nui o tēnei Ao 
Māku e kī atu kia koe 
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata! 

Ko Tāwhitirahi te maunga 
Ko Te Awapoka te awa 
Ko Māmari te waka 
Ko Te Aupōuri te iwi 
Ko Pōtahi te marae 
Ko Meri Kapa raua ko Pouaka Te Amotahi oku tupuna 
Ko Reremoana tōku māmā 
Ko Nyvonne tōku ingoa 

Tēnā koutou katoa 

Kia ora koutou, 

My name is Nyvonne Krause. In the early 2000’s my husband and I were Matua Atawhai at Hato Petera College, having two boys go through the school. We then worked as Family Home parents for Child Youth and Family based in Hamilton. We moved to Australia and worked as Professional Therapeutic Caregivers for an NGO, returning home in 2018, where I started working for Fostering Kids NZ – now known as Caring Families Aotearoa.    

The whakataukī I used at the start is one I hold dear as we care for our tamariki and rangatahi. Having been a caregiver for many, many years, I consider it a privilege to be able to walk beside those that have adopted this lifestyle. It is both challenging and rewarding, and only a select few have the unique skills, heart and wairua to meet the challenges and recognise the rewards.   

I would like to mihi to Ngāpuhi Iwi Social Services care team. Leone, Tammy and the team have been amazing. Ngā mihi nui e hoa mā.  

I look forward to connecting with as many of you as possible as I navigate the region and its beautiful people.   

Nō reira tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa.   

TRAINING

Our latest online self-directed course, What is Blocked Trust?, offers some guidance for supporting tamariki who might resist comfort or connection even in the most caring homes.  

Blocked trust can develop when tamariki have experienced early trauma, neglect, or disrupted attachment, making it difficult for them to feel safe, trust others, or form secure relationships. As a result, they may appear withdrawn, defensive, highly independent, or reluctant to accept support.  

This course will help you understand how blocked trust develops, recognise its signs, and respond with practical, compassionate strategies grounded in Dyadic Developmental Practice (DDP).  

Registrations for this course intake close on Friday 7 August. Click below to register, or to find out more about our caregiver training. 

EVENTS

As mentioned previously, this year we are excited to commemorate 50 years of standing alongside caregivers and celebrate your dedication and aroha to tamariki in care. We have already been sharing inspiring stories from some of the people whose dedication and vision have helped shape Caring Families Aotearoa over the past 50 years, as well as some presentations from the wonderful speakers we have had at our conferences. This month we also launch our 50th Anniversary video which tells the story of our growth and milestones over the years. 

We would now like to share with you that we have an exciting monthly competition for you to win one of five luxury gift bags and you can also register to receive a little thank you gift in the post.  

Please look out for communications about the 50th Birthday Celebrations or click here for more details.

SUPPORT

Exciting news koutou mā, we have a new support group that will hopefully be up and running by next month. All our support group liaisons are caregivers themselves, so managing a home with tamariki in your care and then putting up your hand to be a support group liaison is a big ask. When our new liaison is all set up, she will introduce herself here and share the details of her group.  Stay tuned!  

Don’t forget you can call me for support or if you need someone to talk to – 027 501 0395 or email nyvonnek@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. 

Nyvonne