Te Korowai Mokopuna is a unique initiative of Barnardos Aotearoa. Funded by the generous support of Barnardos’ Children’s Champions.

Te Korowai Mokopuna combines early learning and family support services in one place.

No matter what issues a family faces, whether it’s poverty, housing, addiction, family violence, mental wellbeing issues, parenting struggles, or a combination, we will partner with some of the most vulnerable families and work alongside them for as long as they need us. 

Responding through integrated early learning and child and family services in one place, we work to reduce barriers to education, increase participation, model positive parenting, provide group programmes, and deliver social services. Te Korowai Mokopuna empowers whānau to raise tamariki who stand on strong foundations, with māiatanga (realising potential). 

Kaimanaaki Whānau Workers (family support workers) prioritise, build, and maintain trusting relationships with whānau whose tamariki attend some Barnardos Early Learning Centres. Because it’s based in Early Learning Centres, the barriers to accessing services are reduced and Kaimanaaki Whānau Workers are visible and able to directly engage with children and families.

The initiative gives whānau multiple ways to access the support that they may need.

It lets families know that it is ok to ask for help and that support is available whenever it is needed.

“The intention is that when we walk away from a family we leave them safer, that we leave them feeling more confident as parents, that they know if they need to they can get help and they’ll be treated respectfully, that they are not a problem… everything about Te Korowai Mokopuna engagement is around them being the solution.”

- Kaimanaaki Whānau Worker.

Feedback from whānau involved in Te Korowai Mokopuna shows that the initiative has had “overwhelmingly positive and life-changing outcomes for them and their families”. (Evaluation of Te Korowai Mokopuna, March 2018)

“I would be lost without Te Korowai Mokopuna, and if we couldn’t access this programme through Barnardos, my family would really be at a huge disadvantage. We would be lost without it. Thank you, Barnardos.”

- Dad of a family who accessed Te Korowai Mokopuna services.

“I come here all the time, in this place, yes for me…Have a cup of tea and breakfast but I didn’t actually need the service…I would come anyway…Now that I need the service I’m happy that it is here because I’m not wanting to go to a stranger or go outside and look for it, I’ve got someone that is available here for me that doesn’t have hundreds of clients.”

- Mum of a whānau who accessed Te Korowai Mokopuna services.

It’s because of the support of amazing people like you that Te Korowai Mokopuna can “wrap a cloak’ around children and their families, making a lasting impact on their lives. Without your support, the Te Korowai Mokopuna initiative would not exist meaning that hundreds of tamariki and whānau would not have access to the support they need to thrive.

Te Korowai Mokopuna “Wrap the cloak around the child”

Thank you for your support