What did you want to be when you grew up? A pilot? A nurse? A firefighter?

It’s a question many of us haven’t thought about in years — but it’s one we regularly ask tamariki in our early learning centres across Aotearoa. Their answers are full of hope.

As we step into a new year, many of us reflect on the changes we want to see in our own lives. What if we also thought about the changes we can help create for the next generation?

For too many children, the dreams they share when asked — of becoming a pilot, a nurse, or a firefighter — feel out of reach. Not because they lack potential, but because they lack opportunity.

In a country that prides itself on fairness and care, the reality is stark: not every child gets the same start. Poverty, family violence, housing insecurity, and unequal access to education and mental health support continue to hold back thousands of tamariki.

One in seven children live in households experiencing material hardship, while another one in seven grow up in violent homes. Behind these numbers are real children, whānau, and communities struggling to break free from adversity.

The strength and resilience children and their whānau show despite these barriers is inspiring — but it’s not enough to drive long-term change alone. Together, we can change the story.

Government has a vital role to play, but kotahitanga — unity and collaboration — is essential. It will take all of us: iwi, community providers, businesses, schools, whānau, and everyday New Zealanders, working side by side.

A new year invites us to think about more than personal goals. It’s also a chance to consider the role we can play in shaping the future beyond our own lives. Creating a lasting impact doesn’t always require grand gestures. Even small acts of planning, giving, and supporting our communities can grow into extraordinary outcomes.

Creating a Will is one of the most important steps you can take this year to protect your loved ones and your values. It’s also an opportunity to leave a legacy that reflects the kind of Aotearoa you want to help build. Yet today, only 55% of New Zealand adults have a Will — and just 6% include a gift to charity. That means an enormous opportunity for impact is being left untapped.

New Zealand is on the brink of a $1.6 trillion intergenerational wealth transfer by 2050 (JBWere Bequest Report, 2025). If charitable bequests rose to just 3% of Wills, annual giving could reach $2.5 billion — an eightfold increase in resources to tackle the challenges holding our children back. Gift in Wills to charities are also one of the most effective forms of giving, returning six times more impact than other fundraising methods.

Behind those numbers are countless untold stories. Every percentage point shift in charitable giving represents real lives changed — a child who feels safe again, a rangatahi who opens up about their trauma to a counsellor, a whānau who find stability after years of uncertainty. Legacy gifts don’t just fund programmes; they create futures.

Talking about Wills can feel uncomfortable, but it’s really about making sure your wishes are honoured and your values live on. By normalising these conversations — with your whānau, your lawyer, and your community — you can create an extraordinary impact this year.

The good news is that writing a Will has never been easier. Online platforms make it simple, accessible, and in some cases free — and they even prompt you to consider leaving a charitable gift as part of the process.

At Barnardos, we’ve seen what happens when a child is given the right support early on. They grow into adults who contribute, lead, and give back. And the whole community benefits.

One of those is RJ — supported as a child through Barnardos’ early learning services when home wasn’t safe, he’s now a youth worker, helping other rangatahi find the safety, stability and belief he once needed himself.

This new year, I encourage you to think beyond your personal resolutions. Start a conversation with your family, speak with your lawyer, explore online Wills platforms, or support a charity that resonates with your values. Protect those you love and invest in futures not yet written. Even a small contribution, combined with the generosity of others, can make a profound difference.

Your legacy isn’t only about what you leave behind. It’s about investing in a child’s future not yet written. Together, we can make sure every child’s dream of who they want to be when they grow up has a fair chance of coming true.

Start the year by investing in the future

Start the year by investing in the future