Whānau Fun Bike Day

Time

  • 12:00 pm

Date

  • 21/03/2021

Organiser

  • VOYCE, Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Caring for Families

Location

  • Henderson Park

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 for the day, running games and competitions for the young people and giving out spot prizes. There was even a caregiver dance off which the rangatahi loved.

AT and Bigfoot set up a bike riding space and had brought bikes for everyone of all ages to borrow for the day. The rangatahi and tamariki enjoyed riding around and following each other around on the bike track that loops around Henderson Park.

There were lots of activities for everyone to get involved with, VOYCE colouring books, dancing to the music playing over the loud speakers, interactive games with the local police and picnics on the grassy banks. There was also a sausage sizzle, a smoothie making bike, a display of old bicycles, games, a bike decoration station, and the VOYCE chill out zone. The bike day was attended by tamariki of all ages, and it was so heartwarming to see whānau of all types getting involved.

At the end of the day, there were three brand new bikes given out as spot prizes, which was an awesome surprise for three of the tamariki in attendance. One young girl who won one of the bikes said that she was so happy as she’d never had a bike with a basket on it before. It was incredible to see how happy it made the tamariki to win such an awesome prize. Thanks for the donation Bigfoot!!

It was so awesome seeing everyone who came out to the bike event!

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.