Cookie Decorating – Palmerston North

Time

  • 2:00 pm

Date

  • 10/12/2025

Organiser

  • VOYCE

Location

  • Palmerston North

In December 2025, VOYCE hosted a Cookie Decorating event for rangatahi spending the holidays in care. The event took place over two days so that we could visit two different groups of young people. First up we were at a Palmerston North family group home on December 10th and then at Te Au Rere a te Tonga residence on December 11th.

Rangatahi aged 14–19 joined in to decorate sugar cookies with frosting, sprinkles, and lollies. Many had never tried cookie decorating before, making the activity a fun, hands-on first time experience for them. At both locations, the young people got creative, shared laughs, and enjoyed time together in a relaxed, festive environment.

The atmosphere was full of enthusiasm and humour and some of the feedback our team got, included:

  • “Take a picture of me with my cookie!”
  • “Whaea, you’re going to give us diabetes!”
  • “Is this cheese?” “No, it’s frosting, why would I give you cheese?”
  • “Can I make one for my teacher?”

This event brought rangatahi and caregivers together, encouraging positive interactions, creative expression, and a sense of holiday fun. VOYCE is always proud to provide opportunities like this that help young people in care feel connected, celebrated, and supported.

Promise Three: Learning

Education as a gateway to dreams, rangatahi are supported to achieve aspirations.

Promise One: Care

Every tamaiti receives nurturing, protection, and provision, as any good parent would offer.

Promise Five: Voice

Tamariki and rangatahi are involved in decisions that affect them, and their voices are honoured.

Promise Four: Wellbeing

Timely, accessible, and culturally conscious health and mental health services are available to all taiohi.

Promise Two: Stability

Young people in care experience consistency, safety, and a sense of belonging.

Whānau care is where a child is being raised by someone in their whānau or extended family. Often it means a child living with their grandparents – but could also be another family member like an aunt, uncle or older sibling. Whāngai is the traditional Māori practice of whānau care.