About the conference

2014 GRG Members’ Training Conference

Undoubtedly a highlight of 2014 was the biannual members’ training conference held in Auckland in March. The theme was “Empowering Grandparents Raising Grandchildren” and a record number of 140 members attended the two day programme that was opened by the Honourable Paula Bennett, Minister of Social Development. The programme featured a fantastic array of speakers including Nigel Latta, Judge Laurence Ryan, Principal Family Court Judge, Dr Simon Rowley and Nathan Mikaere-Wallis from the Brainwave Trust, Paul Nixon Chief Social Worker CYF, Shane Harris from the SAFE Network and Pat Buckley from Amped4Life.

Feedback from those attending was overwhelmingly positive:
“Awesome speakers, amazing organisation to pull it all together and they made sure everyone was welcomed and encouraged to mingle. The opportunity to meet other grandparents and hear their stories. Look forward to the next conference”.

“Fabulous quality and variety of speakers – all the information/topics were inter-related and totally relevant.  Great that the speakers were prepared to listen to our feedback.  Very empowering for us GRG.  Great to feel that we are not alone, together we can have a voice and be heard by people in a position to make policy changes”

“Having a wonderful rest and a recharge, all the wonderful speakers, funny, informative, enriching, wonderful people, spending time with other Grand’s,  meeting the Board members, seeing Di, Geoff, Diana and all the team.  Love you all”

“Attention to detail and the caring and supportive atmosphere.  I felt valued and respected and EMPOWERED.  10 out of 10 - thank you”

You can imagine that we felt pretty good about this.

We are extremely grateful for the support of the following organisations who have generously contributed funding to assist us in producing our 3rd National Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust NZ Training Conference.

Thank you!