October 2026 Auckland South / Waikato Caregiver News
Christie McGiven
Auckland South / Waikato Regional Coordinator
Mobile: 027 538 9691
Kia ora e hoa mā,
It has been a full and busy couple of months with lots of highlights:
- I moved offices – I’m now based in Royal Oak.
- I learned some new phrases in celebration of Te Wiki o te Reo Māori and practiced these with my colleagues.
- I enjoyed a coffee with our wonderful Silverdale-based caregivers at the Silverdale Coffee Group – it is a lovely way to spend a Friday morning each month – I get a top up of laughs to set me up well for the weekend.
- I met with VOYCE Whakarongo Mai to learn more about their plans for connecting with tamariki and rangatahi in care.
I am looking forward to another full month as we head towards summer and celebrate 50 years of Caring Families Aotearoa across the motu. If you’re coming along to one of the 50th Support Group Celebration events, come say hi, I look forward to having a chat with you.
EVENTS
Our Auckland 50th Support Group Celebrations kick off this month with the following event in South Auckland:
- South Auckland/Manurewa – Tuesday 20th October, Cafe Miko, 10am. (We have sent an email invite to caregivers in the area.)
We are still establishing this Support Group. If you’re not a member but would like to join, please reach out as we’d love to celebrate with you. (Spaces are limited so first in first served).
- Please note the Hamilton 50th Support Group Celebration is not until Wednesday 4th November.
There are other ways to get involved in our 50th Celebrations. You can enter our monthly competition, register for a free gift, watch our 50th Anniversary video, or read some inspiring stories from some very special people who have helped shape who we are today as an organisation. If you haven’t already seen all the ways we are celebrating our 50th Anniversary, go to our page on the website to find out more – Celebrating 50 Years of Caring for Families across Aotearoa – Caring Families
SELF-DIRECTED TRAINING
Have you tried our new registration process for online caregiver training yet? If you’re an eligible trainee, we’ve started sending you a monthly invitation from our training platform, with a link to find out more and register for courses in the next intake.
We’d love to hear your feedback while the platform is still new – as it has been designed with your busy days in mind. Like any new system, we have experienced some teething issues, but we’re working hard behind the scenes to ensure the process is seamless for you. Send any thoughts and comments to us at training@caringfamilies.org.nz
If you’re caregiving under an Agency, our monthly invitations to register for training are sent to your Agency instead. Have a chat with your Agency and let them know which of our courses you’d like to start!
You can find information about our caregiver training courses and the registration process here – Self-directed Online Learning – Caring Families
New courses for October
This month we’re introducing two new Additional Courses to our training suite. Each course takes approximately one hour to complete, but you don’t need to finish them in one sitting – just like all our courses, you can dip in and out and save your progress as you go.
Helping Babies Heal – understanding the impact of trauma
Learn how to recognise and respond to the emotional and developmental needs of an infant or toddler in your care. We’ll leave you with strategies for building trust, security and healthy attachment.
They Care Too – the impact of fostering on biological children
We explore the experiences of biological children in mixed caregiving households, navigate the unique challenges (and some opportunities too!) and learn practical strategies to support positive relationships and help the whole family thrive.
Register by Tuesday 6 October if you’d like to take advantage of this training, or any of our courses, this month.
Missed the email?
We’ve received a few enquiries from caregivers who haven’t seen the email from our registration platform inviting you to register for courses. If this sounds familiar, check your junk mail or search for these details in your Inbox: Sender no-reply@caringfamilies.org.nz and subject “Invitation to sign up for caring Families Aotearoa training courses”.
SUPPORT
Silverdale Support Group
Date: Friday 2 October (50th Celebration for Support Group Members) and the next regular meeting is Friday 6 November (we meet on the first Friday of the month)
Time: 10:30am
Venue: Columbus Cafe (inside Mitre 10 Mega), 35 Colin Chester Drive, Silverdale
Please RSVP to Gail (021 071 6840)
Hamilton Support Group
Date: Wednesday 7 October, (we meet on the first Wednesday of the month)
Time: 10am
Location: Punnet Cafe, 337 Newell Road, Tamahere
Please RSVP to Christie (027 538 9691)
Pukekohe/Franklin
Date: Friday 30 October (we meet the last Friday of the month)
Time: 10am
Location: The Hidden Cafe, 994c Paerātā Road, Paerata.
Please RSVP to Joy (027 290 0618)
Manukau/South Auckland – 50th Celebration
Date: Tuesday 20 October
Time: 10.00am
Location: Cafe Miko, Auckland Botanic Gardens, 102 Hill Road, Manurewa
Please RSVP to Christie (027 538 9691)
Don’t forget, you can call me for support or if you need someone to talk to – 027 538 9691 or email christiem@caringfamilies.org.nz
My hours of work are 8am-4pm Monday to Friday.
Or you can call our national office 0800 693 323.
Tiaki i a koutou anō, look after yourselves!
Christie