Award for Oranga Tamariki caregiver of 26 years

The 54-year-old is a third-generation caregiver. Her grandmother fostered children, her parents did too, and Donna followed in their footsteps 26 years ago.

For her, caregiving is “just normal”.

Where it all began

The desire to help people started at a young age. She recalls as a child telling her father she wanted to go overseas to help in orphanages.

“He said to me, why do that when there are kids in your own country that need help.”

Donna says that always stuck with her. She trained as a nurse and still works at Dunedin hospital part-time. In May 2000 she became a caregiver.

Donna's parents had also returned to caregiving at that point after raising their own 6 children. They bought an Otago farm where they could look after the children together.

“It gave the kids space where they could run and shout and do what they needed to do,” Donna says.

They fostered animals as well, knowing the therapeutic benefits for children with trauma, and welcomed a pig, a horse, deer, cows, goats, geese and ducks.

“You name it, we’ve probably got it.”

Donna now lives with her younger brother, who offers a helping hand on the farm, and with the 6 children she currently cares for.

She jokes the only limit to the number of children she can take in is how many she can fit in her car. She estimates she’s looked after more than 30 young people. Many were with her in the short term, though some stayed for more than 2 years.

Many were with her in the short term, though some stayed for more than 2 years.

Donna has also been a permanent caregiver to 11 children over the years, who were placed with her from a very young age.

“Those ones all keep in touch, because I am mum to them,” she says.

That includes 4 young men now in their 20s, one of whom has had a child of their own.

Donna says seeing them live their own lives and overcome early experiences makes the challenges that can come with caregiving worthwhile.

You can read more about the Excellence in Foster Care Awards:

Excellence in Foster Care Awards - www.caringfamilies.org.nz