Foster Hope - Northland

04/10/2026

A huge thank you to the wonderful students of Kaitāia College! 💙

It may have been a few months ago now, but on reflection, we couldn't let it go without saying a massive thank you to the amazing students and staff at Kaitāia College for getting behind our Foster Hope PJ Drive. The generosity and enthusiasm of our local schools never ceases to amaze us. Year after year, schools across our district step up, collect pyjamas and essentials, and show children and young people in care that their community is thinking of them.

Kaitaia College, your support makes a real difference. Every pair of pyjamas represents warmth, comfort and a little reminder to a child that someone cares, and the extra funds help with supplying other essentials needed.

We are incredibly grateful to have such wonderful schools in our community who continue to stand alongside Foster Hope and the children we support. 💙

Thank you, Kaitaia College — we couldn't do what we do without you!

25/09/2026

So many beautiful knitted blankets from the lovely Jeanette at the Falls Estate Village in Whangarei. It really is wonderful to be able to put such treasured items handknitted into our packs. Each made with love....

21/09/2026

We are a small team.

We don't have a big warehouse or a huge workforce.

What we do have is a group of dedicated volunteers who care deeply about what we do.

When the call comes in that a child needs a backpack, we get to work. We sort, shop, pack, organise, deliver, thanks to NZ Post (Delivering for Good initiative). And we couldn't do it without our wonderful community behind us.

Every volunteer hour, every donated item, every knitted creation and every dollar given helps us continue. We couldn't be more grateful to our amazing community.

Small team. Big heart. Amazing community. 💙

That is Foster Hope Northland.

18/09/2026

It is easy to look at a Foster Hope backpack and see a collection of everyday items.

A toothbrush.
A pair of socks.
Some shampoo.
A towel.
A book.
A cuddly toy.

But to a child arriving somewhere new, these things can mean much more.

They are new.
They are theirs.
They have been chosen especially for them.

And perhaps, for just a moment, that child gets to forget about everything else and simply open a backpack and discover what someone has put together just for them.

Sometimes it is the little things that matter most. Thank you to our wonderful communities who donate such beautiful items so that we can make their backpacks so special.❤️

17/09/2026

Every year and sometimes many times a year we are truly grateful to receive a wonderful donation from afar! In fact half a world away......

For many, many years, Bill and his lovely wife Elaine have been supporting Foster Hope Northland by sending donations of money, beautiful knitted treasures, lovingly made and sent all the way to New Zealand from the UK!

Sadly, Bill is no longer with us, but his generosity and the kindness he and Elaine shows continues on. Thank you, Elaine and family, (our wonderful volunteer, Louise Huett) for continuing Bill's legacy of kindness.

16/09/2026

Now straight back into it, and a very big thank you to all our wonderful knitters in the community.

The time, love and dedication that goes into creating these beautiful little treasures is truly amazing. Imagine opening your backpack and seeing these happy faces looking back to you.

Thank you 🥰

It really is the kindness of people in our community that helps make our backpacks so special. Thank you to every one of our wonderful knitters we appreciate you more than you know!

15/09/2026

We have been a little quiet lately, but behind the scenes so much has been happening! ❤️

This weekend we held our very first Foster Hope National Conference in Blenheim, and what an incredibly inspiring and special weekend it was.

It has been 16 years since Foster Hope was established, many of our volunteers, some who have been with us for 15 years or more finally had the opportunity to meet one another face-to-face.

And what an amazing group we are!

Together, we represent more than 187 years of volunteering, commitment and dedication to Foster Hope plus one very special guide dog with an incredible 7 years of service. 🐾

There were plenty of laughs, a few emotional moments, lots of sharing and learning, and an overwhelming sense of just how special this group of people really is.

For a small charity run entirely by volunteers, the commitment and sheer amount of experience around the room was truly inspiring.

16 years on, we’re still here, still growing, and still doing what we love making a difference in the lives of children in care.

What a privilege it is to be part of such an incredible team. ❤️

26/07/2026