To kick off the new year and strengthen our connections with whānau in care, VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai hosted two epic Ngā mihi o te Tau Hou pool parties in Canterbury — one at Jellie Park and another at Dudley Park in Kaiapoi.

These all-ages, whānau-friendly events were designed to create fun, relaxed spaces where tamariki, rangatahi, and caregivers could connect, unwind, and simply enjoy being together.

At Jellie Park, the energy was sky-high as tamariki hit the hydro slides and showed off their manu skills — with our very own KWM joining the fun right in the pool! Meanwhile, Caring Families Aotearoa held it down with our amazing caregivers, offering connection, support, and a chance to share in the joy. New friendships were sparked, and the feedback from both caregivers and young people was overwhelmingly positive — our best pool party yet!

Then Kaiapoi took it to the next level. With our biggest turnout so far, we had the entire Dudley Park pool complex to ourselves. The vibe was electric, and once again, our partnership with Caring Families Aotearoa helped create a space where both young people and caregivers could thrive. As one rangatahi shared, “I loved meeting new people and making friends, as well as reconnecting with people from other events.”

These events were a powerful reminder of what happens when we create safe, joyful spaces for whānau to come together. We’re already looking forward to the next splash!