Great Potentials Foundation

⭐ With winter upon us, our Family Service Centres partnered with Unichem Pakuranga Pharmacy to provide a community space where whānau could check their immunisation status, ask questions, and receive trusted health advice.

More than 30 people attended the clinic across our centres, helping to protect tamariki, parents, and the wider whānau from preventable illnesses this winter.

Thank you to our team, partners, and everyone who attended for supporting the health and wellbeing of our community.

💬 Have a question? Get in touch with us
https://www.greatpotentials.org.nz/family-centre-team

🔗 Read more here
https://www.greatpotentials.org.nz/blog/caring-for-whnau-this-winter

⭐⭐ A huge thank you to the incredible Milford Foundation! With your support, we are able to continue helping children, young people and whānau in our communities.

Take a look back at the highlights of Term 1 through our quarterly newsletter: MATES Matters ⭐

Read all about our latest events, programme updates, and a special spotlight on the mentors doing incredible mahi to support and inspire our rangatahi.

Read more here 👇

MATES Matters Term 1 2026 Welcome to MATES Term 2! We invite you to reflect on Term 1 with us through our quarterly newsletter: MATES Matters In this edition of MATES Matters, we shine a spotlight on our MATES Greats section. Nasili, a former mentor from 2021–2024, shares her journey of supporting rangatahi through the MAT...

With grateful hearts, Great Potentials Foundation says farewell and thank you to Doreen and HIPPY Wesley 💛

Across two and a half decades in Wesley, and with Doreen’s 22 years of leadership as Coordinator, the programme has supported thousands of children and families to achieve success in education, community participation, and employment, helping them work towards their goals and aspirations.

We wish Doreen all the very best for the future and thank her sincerely for her extraordinary contribution. ⭐

🔗 follow through to read more

Farewell Doreen and HIPPY Wesley It is with grateful hearts that Great Potentials Foundation says farewell and thank you to Doreen and HIPPY Wesley.

Keep the flu out of your home this winter 🌨

We're bringing back the Influenza Immunisation tomorrow at our Family Service Centres. No appointment needed, just walk right in! ⭐

For more information about the influenza immunisation programme, visit👇
https://www.immune.org.nz/immunisation/programmes/influenza

Or contact one of our team members 💬
https://www.greatpotentials.org.nz/family-centre-team

⭐⭐ We’re excited to announce the release of the refreshed Foundations curriculum for HIPPY (Home Interaction for Parents and Youngsters)!

This will impact over 500 families receiving Foundations across HIPPY’s 22 communities.

Learn more about the curriculum refresh here 👇
https://www.greatpotentials.org.nz/blog/hippy-foundations-refresh

For HIPPY locations and contact details, visit🔗
https://www.greatpotentials.org.nz/hippy-locations

HIPPY Foundations Refresh Great Potentials Foundations and HIPPY are proud to announce the release of the refreshed Foundations curriculum. This will impact over 500 families receiving Foundations across HIPPY’s 22 sites.

Too many children are starting school already behind.

Recent Ministry of Education NZ data shows fewer than half of five-year-olds passed new phonics tests after their first full year at school, with more than a quarter needing extra classroom support. Behind every statistic is a family doing their best, often while facing barriers that make it harder to take a leading role in their child’s education.

For many parents, hearing their child is struggling so early can feel overwhelming. The HIPPY Programme helps change that.

Through practical tools and structured support, HIPPY empowers parents to create positive learning environments at home so children can arrive at school ready to thrive and parents feel confident supporting their child’s learning journey every step of the way. HIPPY provides targeted, structured support that is evidence-based. ⭐⭐



Learn more here 🔗
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/education/595506/after-a-full-year-of-schooling-less-than-half-of-5-year-olds-pass-new-phonics-test?utm_source=newsshowcase&utm_medium=discover&utm_campaign=CCwqGQgwKhAIACoHCAow35aQCzD3-KMDML2UnQUwkZDaBQ&utm_content=bullets

Follow us for more updates 👍

After a full year of schooling, less than half of 5 year olds pass new phonics test And Education Ministry results show some groups of children have pass rates of just 25 percent.

💕 Today is Pink Shirt Day, a time to come together to stand against bullying and celebrate the diversity that makes our communities stronger ⭐

𝘒ō𝘳𝘦𝘳𝘰 𝘔𝘢𝘪, 𝘒ō𝘳𝘦𝘳𝘰 𝘈𝘵𝘶, 𝘔𝘢𝘶𝘳𝘪 𝘛ū, 𝘔𝘢𝘶𝘳𝘪 𝘖𝘳𝘢 – 𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘶𝘱, 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘣𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨!

For many communities across Aotearoa, bullying is more than hurtful words. Feeling different, being left out, or worrying about not fitting in can have a lasting impact on a person’s confidence and wellbeing.

Everyone deserves to feel safe and supported.

At Great Potentials Foundation, we see every day how important support from local services can be. For the past 35 years, we have helped more than 89,900 children, young people, and whānau build confidence and believe in their potential.

By supporting Great Potentials Foundation, you are helping create opportunities for children, young people, and families who may otherwise miss out, while helping build a more connected community.

Together, we can continue to choose kindness, stand against bullying, and help create a future where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Thank you so much to Sophie Pink Boutique for the brand-new clothing donation for families at the Papakura and Takanini Family Service Centres. 👚👗 We are always grateful for businesses who want to make a difference. ⭐

If you'd like to support, we'd like to hear from you 👇
https://www.greatpotentials.org.nz/corporate-sponsorship

Happy Mother's Day from the team at Great Potentials, HIPPY, MATES, Family Service Centres Papakura and Takanini, and Papakura Early Learning Centre⭐🌼🌸