June 2026 Lower North Caregiver News
Tēnā koutou katoa,
We are halfway through the year and entering winter! A wonderful time to cosy up, build indoor forts and have hot chocolate. Keep an eye out on our Private Facebook pages for ideas on how to manage the winter blues, information about supports and Matariki!
My recent journey has been learning how Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) impacts the brain and behaviour. While I am still new to it all, I am developing understanding and skills to help our tamariki in care.
Some strategies I am learning to implement daily are:
- KIS – Keep It Simple: try one instruction, and keep it clear and understandable, i.e. Instead of; “go and clean your room”, try “please put dirty clothes in the washing basket.”
- Stay on the one instruction – avoid going off on a tangent and muti-tasking.
- Slow it down – being patient and waiting for your child helps them to feel that things are achievable. Try not to show your frustration, instead, find joy in what they’re trying to do.
- Give them rest – it’s okay to sometimes go home early from school or take a day off during their development years. Talk with the school and explore options that fit for both you and your child. A bit of rest can make all the difference to them, and help them to manage a week of learning and activities.
Ngā mihi,
Ebony
Training
As you are aware we have been rolling out our new online self-directed training over the past year and continue to add to it. If you have completed a training, tell me what your highlight has been and how have you implemented it into your daily care giving journey. Feel free to message me on lowernorth@caringfamilies.org.nz
We are excited about our latest training as we know the topics we cover in it, are often topics that caregivers wish they’d know about in the beginning! Read below to find out more about this new course.
Caregiving 101
“I wish I’d known this in the beginning!”
We’ve heard this statement a lot from caregivers over the years – and we’re delighted to say that our considered response – the development of new training that introduces the tools, techniques and resources to navigate a caregiving journey – is now complete.
Caregiving 101 is open for registration for the first time this month, alongside our online suite of foundational level training courses. There are two versions, one for Formal caregivers and one for Informal caregivers. Just like most of our training, each course will take about one hour to complete.
For ease of definition, the Formal course is for statutory caregivers (inside the state care system), who receive a board payment for a child in their care. The Informal course is for non-statutory caregivers (outside the state care system) who receive the Unsupported Child Benefit, the Orphan’s Benefit, or do not receive a board payment.
Both courses have tools, resources and advice to create a positive and nurturing environment for the tamariki and rangatahi in your care. They offer valuable insights into your unique role and responsibilities, and guidance to understand the challenges and rewards of caregiving.
Register before 5pm on Monday 8 June and you’ll receive access to begin your training on Tuesday 9 June.
EVENTS
This year Matariki falls on Friday 10 July. Keep an eye out for your local community Matariki Events, you can check out this link: https://www.matariki.com/events
SUPPORT
You can contact me between 8:30am – 4:30pm Monday – Wednesday, and Friday.
M: 027 501 0394 E: lowernorth@caringfamilies.org.nz or call our National Office on 0800 693 323.
Palmerston North Support Group
Date: Wednesday 24 June
Time: 10am
Location: Cooperage Café on Main, 723 Main Street, Palmerston North
RSVP: Bev McKay 0274577626
Taranaki Support Group
Date: Thursday 25 June
Time: 10am
Location: Café Botannix, Palmers Garden Centre,
680 Devon Road, Waiwhakaiho, New Plymouth.
RSVP: Nigel Christie 021595956
Wellington Family and Foster Care Association
Date: Thursday 18 June
Time: 10am
Location: Columbus Café, Mitre 10 Petone, 25 Bouverie Street, Petone.
RSVP: Tori 0274254709
Kapiti Support Group
Date: Monday 22 June
Time: 10.15am
Location: Truffle Café, 9 Milne Drive, Paraparaumu
RSVP: Rebecca Bedell 022 010 3406
Manawatu Foster Care Association
Date: Monday 8 June
Time: 10:30am
Location: No Knead to Book, Feilding Library, Te Āhuru Mōwai, 64 Strafford Street, Feilding
RSVP: Judy Williams 0277583624
Levin Support Group
Date: Wednesday 24 June
Time: 10:00am
Location: Salvation Army (enter room on right hand side)
11 Durham Street, Levin
RSVP: Jan Ladhams 02108970272
FACEBOOK SUPPORT GROUPS
For the Lower North Region, I update and administer the following three private Caring Families Aotearoa Support Facebook Groups. Please click the buttons below to join, if you haven’t already!
Wairarapa region
Rob Surtees
Wairarapa Regional Coordinator
& Caring Families Aotearoa Therapist
Kia ora koutou,
Our Wairarapa Support Group is meeting on 28 May, but due to the long weekend I will not have time to report on this meeting before Snippets arrives in your Inbox.
If you ever need any one-to-one support, please bear in mind that I am in Masterton every second Thursday. Feel free to contact me, or any of our amazing team, to make a time.
I recently had the privilege of meeting the team at Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, who work in a care partnership with Oranga Tamariki, under section 396 of the Oranga Tamariki Act.
A “care partner” is an organisation that provides care for a child in state care. This includes iwi social services and cultural social services, which are essential for providing culturally appropriate support to tamariki and their whānau.
If anyone has tamariki that whakapapa back to this Iwi, I encourage you to contact them. You can find their contact details here. I hope to be more involved with this organisation as the team are doing awesome work with whānau in our area.
SUPPORT
I am looking after the wider Wairarapa area (between Dannevirke and Featherston) for a while. You can contact me between 7:30am – 4:30pm Monday – Thursday.
E: Robs@caringfamilies.org.nz or call our National Office on 0800 693 323 and ask for me.
Ngā mihi,
Rob