KidsCan and Waikato-Tainui unite to help Kiwi kids realise their potential

NOTE: UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL FRIDAY 11 MAY 2018 at 5AM

KidsCan and Waikato-Tainui today announced a landmark one-year partnership marking the first Iwi collaboration for the charity. Waikato-Tainui is contributing $100,000 towards helping KidsCan provide food and health items across 23 Waikato and south Auckland schools.

“We’re excited by this historic collaboration because we know Waikato-Tainui is equally dedicated to helping children who are going without the basics, get an equal chance at an education. They understand the importance of supporting their tamariki by improving their wellbeing, so they can forge successful futures, not only for themselves but for the benefit of their whaanau, Iwi and the wider community,” says KidsCan Founder Julie Chapman.

In total 23 primary, intermediate, and high schools will benefit from the collaboration in the wider Waikato-Tainui region. These schools have high percentages of Maaori and also Tribal members such as Papakura Intermediate, where nearly 80 percent of the school is Maaori with a significant number being Waikato.

For Waikato-Tainui partnering with KidsCan is a smart way of working together to achieve their strategic goals for tamariki and mokopuna within their tribal rohe and the communities they are in.

“We have signed a one-year partnership with KidsCan to support the great work they are doing in schools. Our tamariki and mokopuna are our future and as an Iwi we are committed to supporting them to be in a position to design the world they want to live in – this starts with getting them into the classroom in a position to learn,” says Te Arataura Chair Rukumoana Schaafhausen.

Papakura Intermediate School has been a KidsCan school for five years and Principal Rebecca Kaukau agrees providing students in need with the necessities many of us take for granted has a positive impact on their lives helping them to be their best selves.

“The KidsCan kai has been an instrumental part of our strategy to make sure every learner is supported to be healthy and happy so they can be in class, engage in learning and fulfil their potential.”

In time, KidsCan is hopeful that being able to demonstrate the impact of Waikato-Tainui’s support will inspire other Iwi across NZ to consider collaboration with the charity.

– ENDS –

© Scoop Media