If you know an extraordinary caregiver who goes above and beyond for their tamariki and rangatahi, please consider nominating them for next year’s awards.

It’s easy to be eligible – your nominee can be anyone providing a home to a child not born to them (excluding step-parents). This includes whānau and kin caregivers, Grandparents raising grandchildren, and people with permanent care of a child or young person. The nominee does not need to have a supporting agency, e.g. Open Home Foundation, Oranga Tamariki.

We know that there are so many caregivers out there who deserve this recognition, with your help we can make this happen. 

Nominations for the 2026 Excellence in Foster Care Awards will open at the end of June 2025.
We will update this page and communicate this on our social media and through our monthly newsletter.

Anyone can nominate a caregiver or caregiving couple for an award. This includes all Social Workers, fellow caregivers, Teachers, Support Workers, and people from the community. Nominators must be people who are positively and strongly involved in the caregiver’s life.

1. Fill out the nomination form (you can either download and print the form or fill it in electronically).
2. Have the caregiver you are nominating sign the form.
3. Gather supporting evidence and save this into a single file.
4. Send your completed nomination and supporting evidence by email.

We will update this section with the nomination form closer to the applications opening date.

Your nomination is an opportunity to introduce your chosen caregiver or caregiving couple and explain who they are, what their caregiving journey has been about, and what makes them stand out.

Be creative and include supporting evidence that will make your caregiver(s) really stand out. You can include copies of certificates, photos, and references from people like school Principals, Social Workers, the children, whānau, or community leaders.

If your nomination is successful we will first contact the caregiver and tell them the great news. Once we have contacted them we will give you a call.

Recipients of the awards will travel to Wellington for the awards ceremony to be celebrated.  Award recipients, if not a couple, are able to bring a support person with them. We will meet their travel and accommodation costs.

The intent of these awards is to recognise outstanding caregivers. All nominees will receive a letter of recognition and a small gift.

You are able to nominate the same caregiver(s) next year.