Welcome back to a New Year everyone.  I hope you had a relaxing break, got lots of sun, and feel refreshed and energised for the year ahead. 

For us, this year will see the consolidation of year one of our strategic plan.  This brings a big focus on strengthening the quality of our practice, and closer working relationships with our iwi partners.  We’ve made good inroads into capturing and using feedback from the children and young people in our care, and look forward to working with you, our partners, to make sure the children and young people we’re all involved with are well supported and cared for. 

This year will also see lots of activity relating to the Children’s Action Plan.  Child, Youth and Family holds the lead on the cross agency ‘strategy for children and young people in care’ and ‘child protect line’.  These are exciting times for us, and the biggest opportunity we’ve had for some time to change the way we work here and with our partners, to get the best possible outcomes for children. 

And to share an early high point for me – on New Year’s day I was delighted to open the paper to see two outstanding Child, Youth and Family caregivers awarded Queens Service Medals as part of the New Year’s honours list.  Huge congratulations, and thanks to Diane and David Broderick for the work they do in their community, and for the care they give to the children and young people who need their help. You can read more about Dave and Diane's story in this e-newsletter.

Congratulations also to Anthea Simcock, head of Child Matters, who was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to child welfare. We work with Anthea and her team to deliver child protection training, and it's great to see her work recognised in this way. 

Nga mihi

Bernadine