CEO Message August 2025
Kia ora
I hope you and your whānau are well. My thoughts have been with those of you who live in flood-affected communities. Please remember that our team is here to support you, especially through this difficult time.
I wanted to take this opportunity to say what an amazing gift you give. Recent media coverage, like the inquest into the tragic death of Malachi Subecz, can be distressing and test your resilience as a caregiver. But you’ve chosen a path to keep tamariki safe, stable and connected to the people who care about them.
We see you and acknowledge the truly remarkable job you are doing. It takes a very special person to care for and protect a child who is not biologically your own, particularly in situations involving family violence, neglect or abuse.
And if my word is not enough, I hope this selection of quotes from our members will remind you of the reasons why you stepped up in the first place. As part of a Facebook competition, we asked people to reflect on what caregiving means to them:
“Caregiving for me means supporting children in my care to have the opportunities that every child deserves, to feel loved, to feel respected, to feel special, to have a voice, to be heard, to feel belonging and most of all to feel safe.”
“Being a foster caregiver means loving a child as my own, even when my heart knows they might not stay, because every child deserves to feel safe, wanted, and cherished.”
“Changing the future path for rangatahi and showing them they are loved, they are seen and they are valid.”
“All children deserve to be loved and treated as valuable human beings. Seeing the joy and peace of a traumatized child when they realize that they are accepted as they are, is the best reward. Caregiving is my way to make a difference.”
What you do matters deeply, and your aroha does not go unnoticed. Koia kei a koe (you’re awesome).
Stand tall,
