Flip Out and Pizza Party Nelson
This event was organised by VOYCE Whakarongo Mai with huge support from Oranga Tamariki who provided funding and Caring Families Aotearoa who did the catering. On Wednesday 21st July our team went up to Nelson to start building the presence of VOYCE Whakarongo Mai in the Upper South. Being the school holidays we thought it would […]
Ōtautahi Matariki Celebration
Our Tūhono Matariki was an event bringing together our care-experienced community and celebrating Matariki. This began with dinner from 6pm-8pm at the North New Brighton Community Centre where we gathered for a hāngi, followed by a panel discussion about Matariki and Maramataka and closing with a performance of our VOYCE Whakarongo Mai waiata. Afterwards, we […]
Ten young people impacted by Te Oranga Residence closing
On Tuesday 29th June, 2021, newsroom.co.nz broke the story (Trigger Warning: Violence) on excessive restraint captured by leaked surveillance footage at the Oranga Tamariki residence, Te Oranga. The Office of the Children’s Commissioner and VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai expressed our view publicly on the staff behaviour shown on film. In response to this disturbing footage, Sir Wira Gardiner, the acting […]
Family Court Legislation Bill Amendments
Supporting more participation for tamariki and rangatahi While VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai did not directly make a submission to the Justice Committee on the amendments to this Bill, we strongly support and celebrate their report which has recommended updates be made to the Bill. This Bill highlights “the importance of listening to children and taking […]
Youth Demerits Bill scrapped!
VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai was proud to have three care experienced rangatahi (Hamish Falekaono, Tupua Urlich and Jennifer Thonrithi) represent the care community at the Government Select Committee Hearing in March 2021, to strongly oppose the proposed Youth Demerits Bill. Following submissions, the Select Committee released a report recommending to scrap this Bill while calling […]
Rising Strong Tūhono
Rising Strong was a Tūhono the Õtautahi team put together for Youth Week 2021 (the theme of Youth week 2021 was “Stronger Together”). We had several workshops throughout the night, beginning with mau rakau exercises, then some kickboxing strike combos, some BJJ tap out moves and an MMA session with by Shane Young (who we […]
Splash Pool Parties
Following the success of our first pool party in Greymouth, we ran a series of SPLASH! POOL PARTIES in Ōtautahi across February and March to make the most of the end of the warm weather. Rangiora Our first pool party was held up in North Canterbury in Rangiora at the Dudley Park Aquatic Centre on […]
Birthday Cakes for Waikato Tamariki in need
Laura is the creativity, brains and heart behind The Cake Detective. She uses her baking and decorating talents to whip up incredible personalized birthday cakes for tamariki in need in the Waikato. Who can get a cake? Set up in late 2019, The Cake Detective takes orders and requests from a number of organization’s in […]
Whānau Fun Bike Day
The VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai Tamaki team attended the Whānau Fun Bike Day at Henderson Park, with over 200 rangatahi and tamariki and their caregivers. The day was organized by Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Caring Families Aotearoa, VOYCE and Auckland Transport and the collaboration made for a really awesome event. The VOYCE team ran the microphone […]
Whitianga Sailing Day
On Saturday 13th March, Whitianga and the team from the Whitianga Mercury Bay Boating Club provided a great day out on the water for rangatahi, with great weather and a cloudless sky setting a scene of beauty. We had three rangatahi come and join in on the sailing lesson with Jono and his team. We prepared the boats and our own gear, then went […]