Kia ora

It is hard to believe we’ve arrived at November and Christmas is just over seven weeks away! We have had some lovely warm weather lately, a real taste of summer and the long, lazy days to come.

I hope you all enjoyed Labour weekend and found some time for self-care. Practicing self-care not only allows you to reset and re-energise, but it also shows others that YOU are just as important as everyone else in your whānau.

And we all know (but sometimes need to be reminded) that investing in your overall wellbeing allows you to provide the best care for your tamariki.

I was thrilled to hear such positive feedback about the recent L’Oréal for Youth event in Auckland. Our team works hard to bring together a large group of young people and their caregivers from across the motu for the occasion – and we know from previous years that it makes a long-lasting impression on some. Thank you to our friends at L’Oréal New Zealand and VOYCE Whakarongo Mai for your wonderful mahi towards making this 15-year anniversary event extra special.

This month brings the formal public apology to survivors of abuse in care by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. I will be tuning into the livestream on 12 November and my thoughts will be with the thousands of brave survivors as the Prime Minister’s words, and those of other government agencies, take hold. If you want to access wellbeing support prior to and after the apology event, a helpline, Safe to Talk is available on 0800 044 334.

Finally, I want to assure you that we are continuing to develop more self-directed training opportunities to meet the needs of the care sector. This includes simplifying the National Care Standards, so they are easy to understand, and pulling together shorter coffee-break sessions to fit around your busy lives. Watch this space early in the new year.

Mā te wā (Bye for now, see you later)