VOYCE Tamariki Magazine Launch
After 2021 survey results showed that the rangatahi and kaimahi involved with VOYCE believed that we could provide more for tamariki in care, and noticing that as an organization, we wanted to reach tamariki who were aged under 12, and so unlikely to benefit from our social media platforms, we decided to create the VOYCE […]
Lived Experience needed to improve OT Oversight Bill
VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai opposed this Bill on the grounds that its design contradicts its objective, it weakens rather than strengthens the oversight of Oranga Tamariki. Whakarongo Mai – Listen to me Care experienced young people have been vocal about their concerns, including speaking at Select Committee, directly to the responsible Minister and in the […]
VOYCE NYC trip to USA
In July of 2022, four members of the National Youth Council, one Kaiwhakamana and Jamie, the National Leadership Trainer for NYC headed over to the USA. The following is each of their stories: Jamie Lee: National Leadership Trainer, National Youth Council I spent a thrilling few months co-planning the VOYCE Whakarongo Mai USA trip with […]
Oranga Tamariki Oversight Bill must go
State care survivors are calling for the Government to step up and protect vulnerable children and young people by scrapping a proposed Oranga Tamariki Bill. Despite widespread opposition from the social sector and all other major political parties, the Labour-majority Select Committee has recommended the ‘Oversight of Oranga Tamariki System and Children and Young People […]
Youth Week 2022
Auckland: Our Tāmaki team wanted to take this year’s theme, “Our voices matter, we deserve to be heard” and put a big emphasis on the mana of our Young Peoples’ voices. We spoke to some of our rangatahi about what it is they’d like people to hear from them; be advice, a question or statement […]
Levin Horse Riding
On Thursday 11 November, eight care experienced tamariki along with three VOYCE staff ventured off to the Westridge Equestrian Centre in rural Levin for a horse riding extravaganza. This was an activity our tamariki had suggested months earlier and they were all so excited to be with the horses. One tamariki in particular was so […]
Ahuriri does Halloween
Our Halloween event in 2020, was such a success that our tamariki and rangatahi gave us the wero (challenge) to host another Halloween Tūhōno. Always up for the challenge, we hosted a Halloween themed BBQ at our Ahuriri, office, in Onekawa on a very hot Saturday 30th October 2021. 24 care experienced tamariki and rangatahi attended […]
Updates to Family Court Bill supports young people
The Bill amendments focus on engaging young people in processes that affect their care, with tamariki and rangatahi participation a guiding principle. Next steps for policy makers will be developing best practice guidance for child participation so that the law can be implemented. Other key parts of the Bill amendments: The amendment to section 5 […]
Two years of free postage
VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai is the lucky recipient of NZ Post’s ‘Delivering for Good’ opportunity at a time where connection is more important than ever. The delivery service created the initiative to help not-for-profit organisations achieve social impact within their communities. NZ Post’s free courier services will be supporting VOYCE in sending care packages, including […]
Independent Inquiry into Abuse in Care
People with abuse in care experiences after 1999 can still register to share their experiences with the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care. The Abuse in Care Inquiry is the biggest independent inquiry of its kind to be held in NZ’s history and is looking into the abuse and neglect that happened to […]