2017 Events

2017 International Day of Older Persons Celebration
“Stepping into the Future: Tapping the Talents, Contributions and Participation of Older Persons in Society.”

Age Concern NZ, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust NZ, Volunteering NZ and Carers NZ
Ngâ Taonga Sound & Vision - Wellington, 2 October 2017

The theme of this year's International Day of Older Persons is about enabling and expanding the contributions of older people in their families, communities and societies at large. It focuses on the pathways that support full and effective participation in old age, in accordance with old persons’ basic rights, needs and preferences.

It also underscores the link between tapping the talents and contributions of older persons.

In a collaboration with Age Concern NZ, Volunteering NZ and Carer's NZ, we celebrated this day with a function at Ngâ Taonga Sound & Vision in Wellington at which around 200 guests from across the government and NGO sector came together to acknowledge and celebrate the talents, contributions and participation of older persons in society.

Kate Bundle, CEO of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust NZ spoke of the significant contribution thousands of grandparent caregivers raising vulnerable children make to society and the many volunteer grandparent and whanau caregivers who also volunteer their time and energy to support them.  Her full speech can be read here.

Guests enjoyed short screenings of two New Zealand made films; the Coffin Club and East Meets East and informative Skype interviews with the directors of the two films to discuss their inspiration for the films.  

Cecilee Donovan (Wellington and Kapiti GRG Support Group Coordinator), Serenah Nicholson (Hutt Valley GRG Support Group Coordinator) and Diana East (GRG Field Officer) also took part on behalf of GRG.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Awareness Week 2017

Monday 20 March - Sunday, 26 March 2017

Celebrating and honouring the amazing grandparent and whanau caregivers raising their grandchildren and whanau/moko full-time is what this week is all about. 
They are the heroes who give their hearts and energy to protecting some of the most vulnerable children and young people in our community.  It isn't an easy role to fulfil and this is where they need our help.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust NZ provides vital support services to over 6,400 full-time grandparent and whanau caregivers raising over 12,000 children nationwide in circumstances where the only alternative is foster care. Support services include the 0800 GRANDS helpline, vital online and hard-copy information resources, caregiver education and one-to-one Community Outreach and Specialist Advocates; with the objective of empowering caregivers to provide a safe and supportive home environment for the vulnerable children and young people in their care.

If you would like to host an event or initiative to raise awareness or funds to support GRG's work with these families in your community, please get in touch with us.  See here for our contact details.

Help Us to Help You!
The Warehouse 'Bags for Good Neighbourhood' Programme

February to July 2017

Kaitaia, Kaikohe, Whangarei, Dargaville, Snells Beach, Birkenhead, Auckland Central (Atrium and St Lukes), Taupo, Papamoa, Te Kuiti, Gisborne, Porirua, Johnsonville, Wellington, Nelson, Motueka, Christchurch (Barrington and Belfast), Dunedin (South City and South Dunedin) and Gore

When you shop at these local Warehouse stores grab a token at checkouts and place it in the voting unit displaying our poster.

Please encourage your family and friends to support GRG in this wonderful programme that will help support GRG caregivers in these neighbourhoods.

Special thanks to these Warehouse Stores for supporting GRG!