Caring Families Aotearoa

03/10/2026

Happy Grandparents Day to all Kiwi grandparents, especially those who have put aside their own plans to provide a safe and loving home for their grandchildren.

Your aroha, strength and commitment make an incredible difference. Thank you for everything you do to support your moko and help them thrive.

Please do not hesitate to contact us on 0800 693 323, or Grandparents Raising Grandchildren on 0800 472 637, if you ever need support in your caregiving role.

01/10/2026

If you receive the Orphan’s Benefit or Unsupported Child’s Benefit, now is a good time to apply for Work and Income’s Extraordinary Care Fund.

The current application round will close on 23 October. If you apply before then, you will know the outcome shortly after 16 December 2026.

If you’re caring for more than one child, you can apply for each child.

The Extraordinary Care Fund helps to cover extra costs if the child you care for:

🧡 is experiencing difficulties that impact their development, such as learning or behavioural difficulties,

🧡 or shows promise in an ability, skill, or talent, e.g. school, sports, dance, or music.

More info here: https://tinyurl.com/excarefund

29/09/2026

As we approach the end of national Wills month, here’s a timely reminder to get your affairs sorted for free!

A Will is the one document that makes your wishes known after you’ve gone. It means your family is not left to guess what you would have wanted.

It’s quick and easy to make an online Will with our trusted partner Footprint. It takes, on average, just 15 minutes to complete.

Which is just as well, because if you submit your Will before 11.59pm on 30 September 2026, you’ll automatically enter a draw to win one of two Grand Prize Canopy Camping Escape vouchers, each valued at $1,000 and redeemable at over 200 sites across New Zealand.*

Learn more here: https://tinyurl.com/writeyourwilltoday

* Terms and Conditions apply.

28/09/2026

Have you been meaning to nominate a caregiver who has gone above and beyond? Someone just wonderful who has a child in their care not born to them?

We know there are many remarkable caregivers across Aotearoa who deserve recognition for the incredible work they do every day. With your nomination, we can help make that recognition happen.

Don't leave it until the last minute! Nominations for next year’s Excellence in Foster & Whānau Care Awards will close on Friday 23 October 2026.

👉 Learn more and start your nomination here: https://www.caringfamilies.org.nz/excellence_in_foster_and_whanau_care_awards/

Read the stories of our extraordinary Excellence in Foster Care Awards recipients for 2026 and see pics from the ceremony.

23/09/2026

We have two new training courses for caregivers in October:

📋 Helping Babies Heal - Understanding the Impact of Trauma
To support caregivers of infants and toddlers who have experienced trauma. Participants will learn how to recognise and respond to the child’s emotional and developmental needs, coming away with strategies for building trust, security and healthy attachment.

📋 They Care Too – the Impact of Fostering on Biological Children
Designed specifically for caregivers who are caring for children alongside their biological children, because when you welcome a child into your care, the journey involves your whole whānau.

These are our first Additional Courses, which caregivers can complete at any time within a training level. They are most beneficial for caregivers who have already completed some of our Foundational Level courses, as the terms we use throughout each course will be familiar to you.

👉 If you're caring for tamariki or rangatahi not born to you, click below to learn more about these courses and others that will give you confidence on your caregiving journey.

https://www.caringfamilies.org.nz/caregiver-training/additional-courses/

22/09/2026

Sometimes, the best days out are the ones where you don’t have to organise a thing!

Family Fun Days take the pressure off caregiving whānau, with special pool parties and ten-pin bowling events happening across Aotearoa from October to December. Thanks to the support of generous local businesses, these events are free for our members.

Simply register for your tickets, show up, enjoy time with your tamariki, and make some happy memories together.

Be quick, tickets are going fast!

Find your nearest Family Fun Day and register here: https://www.caringfamilies.org.nz/family-fun-days-2026/

21/09/2026

UPDATE: We have a winner! Thanks for your entries and we hope your Te Wiki o te reo Māori was ka rawe!

We have a copy of Māori Made Fun by Scotty and Stacey Morrison to give away!

This book is jam packed with puzzles and games to boost your Māori language skills. To be in to win, look back on our daily posts over Te Wiki o te reo Māori and tell us in the comments below which resource is a good one for you to learn and practice your reo.

Please note you must be a member of Caring Families Aotearoa to enter this competition. Entries will close at 12noon on Tuesday 22 September.

18/09/2026

We continue our celebration of Te wiki o te reo Māori today by encouraging you to learn how to introduce yourself in te reo Māori.

Learn more here: https://www.reomaori.co.nz/learn-your-mihi

🎁 Thanks for following our posts for Te Wiki o te reo Māori. Please check the comments for your chance to win a prize!

17/09/2026

This one’s for the tamariki!

🧘‍♂️ Put on some comfy clothes for bending and stretching with your tamariki: Te reo Māori yoga for kids with Mauritau Yoga. Available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYqLO395ht4

📺 Tākaro tribe – a kids cartoon in English and te reo Māori. Available on YouTube https://tinyurl.com/5mntbk4e

📺 Taiohi Gods – an animated series following the adventures of six “reckless teenage Māori gods” who have been banished to the mortal world. Available on TVNZ https://www.tvnz.co.nz/tvseries/taiohi-gods

🤩 with Nola – trilingual flashcards (Te reo Māori, Tongan, English) using everyday words, play and family routines, all introduced by 7-year-old Nola.
Available on Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/p/Ako-with-Nola-61583118098543/ and Instagram https://www.instagram.c

16/09/2026

Caring Families Aotearoa tautoko (support) the development of a Generational Plan for tamariki and welcome the cross-party commitment to this kaupapa. Real change for children will take all of us - government, NGOs, caregivers, whānau and communities - working together with tamariki at the centre.