Register for an event near you!
Foster Care Awareness Week (3–9 March) is our annual celebration dedicated to recognising you—the incredible caregiver members who show up every day with compassion, resilience, and unwavering commitment to some of Aotearoa’s most vulnerable tamariki.
In 2026, we’re celebrating, with a series of inspiring events across the motu (country). This year is all about creating moments for you to be acknowledged, pampered, and genuinely appreciated for the mahi you do.
UPPER NORTH
Your Upper North Regional Coordinator, Christine Frost, is planning two events in Whangārei and Auckland designed to support learning, connection, and celebration. Each event will begin with an inspiring presentation from a guest speaker, followed by kai and connection and the opportunity to engage with fellow caregivers.
Save the dates and once things are confirmed we will post on the Upper North Facebook page and email our Upper North members.
Whangarei – Kai and korero
Date: Monday 2 March
Time: 11.00am – 1.30pm
Venue to be confirmed
Auckland – Nibble, connect & pamper
Date: Wednesday 4 March
Time: 10.00am – 2.00pm
Venue to be confirmed
CENTRAL NORTH
Christie McGiven, your Central North Regional Coordinator, is excited to bring you a vibrant line‑up of self-care and creative activities designed to help you unwind, connect, and be inspired. Spaces are limited, so we encourage you to secure your spot early.
Hamilton
Art Makers Creative Morning – come along for a relaxed, facilitated art workshop! Get your creative flow going, meet other caregivers and enjoy morning tea together.
- Tuesday 3 March
- 9:30am – 1.00pm
- Art Makers, Norris Ward Park Arts & Crafts Centre, 2 Seddon Rd, Hamilton
Taupō
Restorative Yoga Session – Join a relaxing and restorative guided yoga session, suitable for beginners/everyone! If you’d like an hour to calm the body and mind (and possibly take a nap), come join.
- Wednesday 4 March
- 6:15pm – 7:30pm
- Love Yoga Taupō, Unit 13a, 29 Tōtara Street, Taupō
Caregiver meet-up at the Garden Cafe – join me for coffee, cake and connection with other caregivers in your community.
- Thursday 5 March
- 10am – 11.30am
- The Garden Cafe, 101 Heuheu Street, Taupō
Rotorua
Redwoods Foster Wander & lunch – enjoy soaking up the goodness of the Redwoods with a relaxed walk through the forest (an easy level walk that takes up to one hour), followed by a pizza lunch at Eastwood Café. Come for one, or both parts of the event.
- Wednesday 4 March
- 10:30am – 1:30pm, walk and lunch
- 12:00pm – 1:30pm, lunch
If joining for the Redwoods walk meet at the TreeWalk Information Centre/Shop, 1 Long Mile Road, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua at 10:30am.
If joining for lunch only, meet at the entrance of Eastwood Cafe located at the end of Titokorangi Drive / Long Mile Rd (access off Tarawera Road) at 12pm.
NORTH EAST
In the North East your Regional Coordinator, Nyvonne Krause, is busy planning some exciting events in Whakatane and Tauranga in her region. Keep an eye on the Caring Families Aotearoa North East Support Facebook page for what’s coming up and your emails.
LOWER NORTH
Ebony Phillips, your Regional Coordinator, for the Lower North, (covering south of Turangi, out to south of Gisborne, out to Mokau on the West coast, then everything down to Wellington) has been working closely with your Regional Committees to bring together a special line‑up of events for Foster Care Awareness Week.
Napier
Cast and Connect: kick-start Foster Care Awareness Week and Children’s Day with a fun-filled trip to the Green Meadows Fishing Ponds! Tamariki will learn the joys of angler fishing, while caregivers relax outdoors, connect, and join in activities alongside their young ones, all coming together for a picnic.
Registrations are essential and limited. We’ll send you a downloadable guide with everything you need to know for the day, one week before the event.
- Sunday 1 March
- 8:30am – 4:00pm
- Fish & Game Park, 22a Burness Road, Jervoistown, Napier
Palmerston North
Brave Hearts Build Strong Futures – join us for Brave Hearts Build Strong Futures, a day designed to uplift foster and whānau caregivers through meaningful conversations, shared experiences, and practical wellbeing tools that strengthen you and your journey.
- Wednesday 18 March
- 9:30am – 2:30pm
- Kelvin Grove Community Centre, 68 Kaimanawa Street, Palmerston North
UPPER SOUTH
In the Upper South, your Regional Coordinator, Denise Green, is planning some relaxed, Appreciation Morning Teas and an art activity to reflect on your caregiving journey and connect with others in Wesport, Greymouth and Nelson. There’s also a family-friendly BBQ with fun outdoor games for everyone to enjoy in Blenheim. Spaces are limited, so be sure to secure your spot early.
Westport
Appreciation Morning Tea
- Monday 2 March
- 10.00am – 12.00pm
- Donaldos Cafe, 23 Marine Parade, Carters Beach
Greymouth
Appreciation Morning Tea
- Tuesday 3 March
- 10:30am – 12:30pm
- Dash in Cafe – Tai Poutini Polytech, 73-87 Tainui Street Greymouth
Nelson
Appreciation Morning Tea
- Monday 9 March
- 10.00am-12.00pm
- 19th Cafe, Nelson Golf Club, 38 Bolt Road Tahunanui
Blenheim
Bring your Whānau for a BBQ in the Park and fun outdoor games.
- Saturday 14 March
- 11:30am-2.00pm
- Pollard Park, BBQ area
CANTERBURY
In Canterbury, Lisa Watson, your Regional Coordinator, has planned a range of special events to celebrate Foster Care Awareness Week. Join her for a calming yoga and guided meditation session, or why not try a hands‑on pottery experience led by talented local artist Katie Legg, or bring the whānau along to The Shearers Quarters. Whichever you attend it’s a wonderful opportunity to connect with others in a supportive and uplifting space.
Christchurch
Restorative lunch time yoga and guided meditation session. This is for all abilities, it will focus on slow, relaxing stretches and movements.
• Wednesday 4 March
• 12.00pm-1.30pm
• Piko Wholefoods (upstairs studio), 229 Kilmore Street, Christchurch.
North Canterbury
Afternoon Tea and Art
If you have ever wanted to experience pottery, love a creative challenge or simply want to come and have some fun, local potter Katie Legg will equip you with all you need to design, create and take home some pottery, while enjoying afternoon tea and a fun atmosphere!
• Sunday 8 March
• 1pm-4pm
• Waimakariri Pottery Group Studio, Loburn Reserve, 154 Loburn Whiterock Road
South Canterbury
Fun at The Shearers Quarters
An event for the whole family! Enjoy free entry to the farmyard animals, playground, mini golf, and maze. We have a private function room booked for afternoon tea and cake.
• Sunday 15 March
• 12:30pm-3:30pm
•The Shearers Quarters Café, 924 Seadown Road
Your Regional Coordinator, Stacey Penrose, is hosting two special and creative dinner events in Dunedin and Invercargill. Each gathering will highlight the “P” in PACE, encouraging caregivers to share fun and joyful moments they’ve experienced with their young people, and the chance to enjoy personalising a thank‑you card to gift to your young person.
Invercargill
Come and join Stacey for a delicious dinner, reflection and connection on;
• Wednesday 4 March
• 11:30am – 1:30pm
• Buster Crabb, 326 Dee Street.
Dunedin
Come and join Stacey for a delicious dinner, reflection and connection on;
• Wednesday 11 March
• 6.00pm-8.00pm
• Ombrellos Kitchen and Bar, 10 Clarendon Street, Dunedin North.