CEO Message October 2026
Kia ora koutou,
As I write this, we’re nearly halfway through the school holidays. I hope the break is going well for you and your whānau, and that you’ve been able to enjoy some of the free activities available for tamariki and rangatahi in your region.
The weather has certainly been wet and chilly across much of the motu, but the longer days are a welcome reminder that summer is not far away.
Of course, daylight savings can bring its own challenges – especially when the sun is still shining at bedtime! I hope the change has been manageable in your household and that the lighter evenings are giving you a little more time to enjoy together.
Later this month, we’ll hold our Annual General Meeting. This year’s meeting is particularly special as we celebrate 50 years of Caring Families Aotearoa. We’ll also present our commemorative Annual Report, which reflects on the past financial year and looks at the key milestones that have shaped our organisation. I warmly invite you to join us via Microsoft Teams on the day if you can. You’ll find the details here: AGM 2026 – Caring Families
Nominations for the Excellence in Foster and Whānau Care Awards close on Friday 23 October. If you know an exceptional caregiver whose contribution deserves to be recognised, I encourage you to begin your nomination soon. It can take time to gather letters of support from others in the community, and those personal stories help bring to life the difference that caregiver has made. You can find out more here – Excellence in Foster and Whānau Care Awards – Caring Families
Noho ora mai – stay well, and look after yourselves and one another.
Chief Executive, Caring Families Aotearoa