Caring Families Aotearoa

What Caring Families Aotearoa does

Caring Families Aotearoa is a New Zealand non-government organisation and registered charity (legally New Zealand Family and Fostercare Federation Inc.) that supports people caring for children who are not born to them, including foster caregivers, whānau caregivers, respite caregivers, and permanent caregivers. Founded in 1976 (originally as Fostering Kids New Zealand) and headquartered in Lower Hutt, the organization provides free membership with access to training, one-on-one support from regional coordinators, facilitated peer support groups, closed Facebook communities, and events including a biennial national conference (160+ attendees in 2024) and an annual Foster Care Awareness Week. Its core training curriculum is anchored in the PACE therapeutic parenting framework (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy) derived from Dyadic Developmental Practice, supplemented by National Care Standards training, legal information, and self-directed online modules delivered through its proprietary Online Learning System (OLS).

Its technology footprint is deliberately lean: a web-based OLS platform for training registration and course access, Zoom and Microsoft Teams for virtual coffee gatherings and the Ako Ngātahi monthly discussion series, and standard social/community channels. The organization does not charge caregivers; its revenue model relies on individual donations (one-time gifts, the Bright Futures monthly giving program, workplace giving, bequests), corporate partnerships, and business sponsorships, historically anchored by a 15-year relationship with L'Oréal New Zealand (2007-2022) for the Face Your Future youth program. The customer base is diffuse and individual rather than enterprise, distributed nationally across New Zealand with regional coordinator presence in the Upper North and Upper South.

Caring Families Aotearoa is member-based, governed by a board, led by CEO Linda Surtees, and operates with 11-50 staff and a network of regional coordinators and volunteers including the Critical Support Worker program (since 2009). It has progressively deepened iwi and Māori community partnerships in Te Tai Tokerau, including the appointment of a Kaitakawaenga (cultural advisor), and is currently executing against its Strategic Plan 2026-2029 as it enters its 50th anniversary year.

Name

Caring Families Aotearoa

Legal name

New Zealand Family and Fostercare Federation Inc.

Website

https://caringfamilies.org.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Caring Families Aotearoa is a New Zealand registered charity, founded 1976, that provides free membership, training, advocacy, and peer support to foster, whānau, respite, and permanent caregivers raising children not born to them.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Caregiver Support Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Family & Parent Support Services (Parent Coaching, Advocacy) (EDAJALAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Family Resource Centers & Wraparound Support Services (EDACALAH), Maternal, Child & Family Health Organizations (BPAGACAF)

Keywords

• Foster care support
• Caregiver training programs
• Therapeutic parenting education
• Whānau care advocacy
• Caregiver community services

Headquarters

HQ city

Lower Hutt

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership: Free membership for caregivers providing support, training, advocacy, and resources at no cost to members.
2. Donations: Individual donations including one-time gifts, monthly giving (Bright Futures), workplace giving, and bequests.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate sponsorships and donations from partners like L'Oréal New Zealand supporting programs such as Face Your Future and general operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Caring Families Aotearoa provides free membership-based support, training, advocacy, and resources for foster, whānau, respite, and permanent caregivers raising children not born to them across Aotearoa New Zealand. Its core service portfolio comprises caregiver training delivered through a proprietary Online Learning System using the PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, Empathy) therapeutic parenting framework rooted in Dyadic Developmental Practice, complemented by one-on-one regional coordinator support, facilitated support groups, allegation support, advocacy services, and national events including an annual conference and Foster Care Awareness Week. All offerings are provided free to caregiver members, funded through donations and corporate partnerships.

Product overview

Caring Families Aotearoa offers a unified service model centered on caregiver support, advocacy, and professional development. The core portfolio comprises membership with free training access, one-on-one and group support services, online learning through the OLS platform, advocacy, and national/regional events. Training programs include therapeutic parenting courses (PACE, DDP-informed), National Care Standards, legal information, and self-directed online modules. The organization runs annual flagship events including Foster Care Awareness Week, the National Conference, Excellence in Foster and Whānau Care Awards, and Family Fun Days. Supplementary offerings include allegation support, closed Facebook communities, the Ako Ngātahi online discussion series, and the Critical Support Worker volunteer program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Membership Program (Caregiver Membership) Free membership program for foster, whānau, respite, and permanent caregivers, providing access to free training, one-on-one support, support groups, advocacy, Facebook communities, and events. Caregivers in New Zealand register online to access all member services at no cost.
• Caregiver Training Programs
• Online Learning System (OLS) Proprietary online platform for caregiver training registration, course enrolment, and account management. Caregivers create accounts to access self-directed courses such as Taking Care of Yourself and Caregiving 101 at any time.
• One-on-One Support
• Support Groups
• Closed Facebook Groups
• Allegation Support
• Advocacy Services
• Ako Ngātahi – Learning Together
• National Conference
• Family Fun Days
• Excellence in Foster and Whānau Care Awards
• Face Your Future / L'Oréal for Youth
• Critical Support Workers (CSW) Volunteer Program

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major and minor.

• L'Oréal New ZealandmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 September 2023Corporate partner for Face Your Future / L'Oréal for Youth program since 2007, empowering rangatahi (young people) in care. The 15-year partnership made significant impact supporting youth in care. L'Oréal provides makeup, face masks, and support for caregiver appreciation events including pamper days for caregivers during Foster Care Awareness Week.
• VOYCE Whakarongo MaimajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNGO created to advocate for the rights, needs and wellbeing of children and young people in care. VOYCE co-hosted the 2023 Face Your Future event in Auckland with Caring Families Aotearoa. Collaborated on Matariki Celebration event 'Puanga with Pio-Building Awesome Whānau' and VOYCE National Conference: Kōkiri – The Future Speaks.
• Domino's Pizza New ZealandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity-minded corporate partner providing pizza for caregiver events including 'Night on Us' pizza deal for caregiver families.
• Foster HopeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonated 'Teds' shoes and pamper hampers from Living Nature (local beauty products) for Foster Care Awareness Week caregiver appreciation events.
• Juice PlusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing giveaways for caregiver events during Foster Care Awareness Week.
• VisAbleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization enabling safer lives and communities, partnering with Caring Families Aotearoa to provide Child to Parent Violence and Abuse Peer Support Group for caregiver members who experience such situations.
• Kaikohe OTminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOccupational therapy partner providing support and tautoko (support) for caregivers in Kaikohe region.
• Ngapuhi Iwi Social ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIwi organization providing tautoko (support) and collaboration for caregiver support in Northland region.
• Jigsaw NorthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity organization collaborating on Matariki Celebration event in Whangārei.
• E Tū Whānau Ngā Kiamahi ToaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization collaborating on Matariki Celebration event 'Puanga with Pio-Building Awesome Whānau' in Whangārei.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Plunket New Zealand: A well-established NZ family support organization focused on early childhood and whānau wellbeing; a broader incumbent overlapping with caregiver and family support services but not specialized in foster/whānau care.
• Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children: The New Zealand government agency responsible for children in state care; the regulator/funding counterpart to Caring Families Aotearoa's caregiver constituency and a key policy stakeholder.
• Save the Children New Zealand: An international NGO with NZ operations focused on child rights and welfare; a broad incumbent with overlapping mission and donor pool but not specialized in caregiver support.

Regional players

• National Foster Parent Association (US): A US membership association supporting foster parents nationwide through training, advocacy, and peer support; structurally analogous to Caring Families Aotearoa's caregiver-support model but US-based.
• The Fostering Network (UK): The UK's leading fostering membership charity supporting foster carers and kinship caregivers; comparable mission, training, and advocacy model but operating in a different jurisdiction.
• Foster Care Association of Victoria: An Australian state-based association dedicated to supporting foster carers; functionally analogous to Caring Families Aotearoa but operating in Victoria rather than New Zealand.

Direct peers

• Barnardos New Zealand: A major New Zealand children and family NGO providing caregiver and child welfare services, including support for foster and whānau caregivers — the most direct domestic peer to Caring Families Aotearoa.
• Family Works New Zealand: A Presbyterian Support NZ family services network offering counselling, social work, and family support — a domestic peer with overlapping caregiver and family wellbeing focus.
• VOYCE Whakarongo Mai: A New Zealand NGO advocating for the rights and wellbeing of children and young people in care; a confirmed co-hosting partner of Caring Families Aotearoa events, serving an overlapping constituency.
• KidsFirst New Zealand: A New Zealand organization supporting children, families, and caregivers through social services; directly comparable in caregiver/family support focus and national scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CaringFamiliesAotearoa
• Instagraminstagram.com/caringfamiliesaotearoa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/caringfamiliesaotearoa

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Caring Families Aotearoa