We need greater awareness of the unique challenges of adults providing care for children of family members.

"In 2023, there were around 13,930 people caring for children outside of statutory care and receiving WINZ financial support via the Unsupported Child Benefit or Orphans Benefit. These carers often begin their caregiving experience in situations of high stress, some have multiple interactions with police or Oranga Tamariki when raising safety concerns for the children, others navigate family court processes alone and often do so without adequate information about support available to them and the children.

"Greater collaboration is needed between key government agency roles (WINZ, Family Court Navigators, Family Group Conference Coordinators) and organisations providing caregiver support. Strengthened relationships will help bridge the ‘information gap’ and access to relevant information and local support for benefit of the children.