About GRG

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Trust New Zealand is a registered not for profit organisation that provides nationwide support services, to 5700+* full time grandparent and other whanau care families - representing over 9,000 carers raising around 16,000 children and young people in New Zealand. [*October 2021]

For more than 95% of the families we work with, the grandparents have become full-time caregivers as a result of a traumatic event or family breakdown where there have been serious issues with the parents. Often it is due to drugs and/or alcohol abuse, violence, neglect, mental illness, imprisonment, or death of one or both parents. If it weren't for the grandparents/kin taking on the responsibility for the care of the grandchildren/kin, the children would be faced with state care. The fallout for both the grandchildren and grandparents is life changing and requires a deep understanding of their needs as they work to reform their family and rebuild the lives of the children.
 

Will you come dance with me in the sun, come hold my hand and join with me,

together united for the sake of our moko, for those of you who are in the shadows,

not knowing where to turn, come forward and see our open hand,

our aroha will embrace you, empower you and lead you into the bright sunlight.

Together we can, will and do make a difference in the life of a child.

Diane Vivian, Founder

 

Our Vision - To tatou moemoeā

Is to provide a community where grandparent and whānau caregivers are empowered to raise resilient and healthy children and young people.
Te whakamana i nga tupuna me nga whānau whaanui ki te whakatipu tamariki pakari me te hauora me te rangatahi.

 

Our Purpose - To maatau kaupapa

To provide specialised services and programmes that empower GRG member families to strengthen their whānau.
Ko tā mātou whāinga ko te whakarato ratonga ngaio e whakakaha ana i te whānau.

 

Our Values - Ngā Matapono

Children are our taonga
Children are precious and their caregivers are the guardians of their future.
He taonga nga tamariki, ko o ratou tupuna nga kaitiaki o to ratou heke mai

Whakapapa and Whanaungatanga
We embrace the need for people to be connected and belong to their family or whānau through the concepts of whakapapa and whanaungatanga.
Ka awhi matou i te hiahia kia honohono nga tangata, kia uru ki o ratau whanau, whanau ranei ma roto i nga kaupapa whakapapa me te whanaungatanga

Ako – Learning from each other
We value Ako; the exchange of learning from one another and enriching each other’s lives.
He mea nui ki a matou a Ako; te whakawhitinga o te ako mai i a ratau ano me te whai oranga o tetahi ki tetahi.

Pono – Respect and Integrity
We honour the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and work with honesty, respect, and integrity towards people of all ethnicities and cultural backgrounds.
Ka whakahonorehia e maatau nga kaupapa o te Tiriti o Waitangi. Ka mahi maatau me te pono, te whakaute me te pono ki nga taangata katoa o nga iwi katoa me nga ahurea.

Our Strategic Priorities - Ko a maatau kaupapa rautaki matua

Advocating, Educating and Empowering GRG Whānau – Tohutohu, Whakaakoranga, Whakamana Whānau.

GRG’s advocacy services, support and education programmes are focused on empowering grandparents and whānau caregivers with the help and information they need to:

• Access their lawful income support entitlements that help them provide safe, stable, and nurturing homes.
• Have insight, confidence and parenting strategies that promote the children’s mental wellbeing and their recovery from past trauma.
• Thrive within their whānau in accordance with their cultural values and aspirations.
• Feel a sense of belonging and support within their community.