Tena koutou katoa,

Welcome back everyone! I am the old but new Regional Coordinator for Upper North.

I have been with Caring Families Aotearoa for almost four years and I was previously the Regional Coordinator for Central North. I recently moved with my family to the North Shore of Auckland. I am a whānau caregiver to three beautiful tamariki and also a Mum.

The Upper North Region has broadened for 2025, which means I will be covering from the top of the North Island down to Papatoetoe, and it is my absolute pleasure to be able to offer support for our members of this region. I will work very hard to continue the great work of my predecessors and I look forward to being able to connect with as many of you as possible.

Training

Want to start 2025 empowered with the right therapeutic parenting tools to help you on your caregiving journey?! Our online training schedule kicks off this month offering you a variety of courses to help you on your caregiving journey.

Click below to find out more and secure your spot.

Events

Summer Pool Party on Saturday 15 February – Christie McGiven (Central North Regional Coordinator) and I are hosting a combined Auckland event to kick off 2025 and introduce ourselves. We are looking forward to seeing everyone who has registered to attend for a swim and lunch in the sun. This event is fully booked. 

Foster Care Awareness Week – Foster Care Awareness week, (3-9 March) is an annual celebration held every March. It’s a special week that is all about celebrating YOU; our wonderful caregiver members who put in the mahi every day to care for some of Aotearoa’s most vulnerable children.

As I settle into my new region, I want to explore the Upper North and get out and about and meet up with our caregiving members. I want to take the time to think about the planning of events to celebrate you, and these will take place later in the year. Keep an eye on your region’s Facebook Support Group for what’s coming up.

Support

I will be monitoring and updating the Caring Families Aotearoa Upper North Support Facebook Page and Auckland Support Facebook Page, so depending which region you live in please still refer to these Facebook groups for information, resources and support relevant to their region.

If you would like a support group set up in your area, please get in contact with me and we will try our best to make this happen.

If you need someone to talk to feel free to connect with me, you can call/text me on 027 501 0393 or reach out via email to uppernorth@caringfamilies.org.nz

My hours of work are 9am – 5pm (Monday to Thursday).

Noho ora mai rā, nā (Look after yourself)
Chris