Back to school help.
From the Phillipstown Community trust.
Back to school costs
The wonderful Deborah Lemon from Rehua Marae has compiled this comprehensive list of where families can access a bit of help with getting the kids back to school. Thanks, Deborah, for this great work. You can also check out Deborah's website, Navigate Your Way, for a great resource that helps navigate through government and social services.
The Salvation Army can support families with uniform grants, vouchers for stationery and assistance with devices. Contact your local centre to discuss your needs.
The City Mission's back to school programme can help with purchasing uniforms, shoes, stationery and other costs.
The JR McKenzie Youth Fund can provide help where death, sickness, family break up or economic hardship make it difficult for families to meet educational costs. The fund is administered by local Rotary Clubs.
Make It Happen helps Christchurch families with school-related costs including uniform, clothing, fees, school trips, sport, music and cultural activities.
Variety can organise a sponsor for children between 5 and 15. The charity connects donors with individual children. If you'd like to sponsor a child, you can follow the link to learn more. Kidscan also assist children during the year and always need sponsors.
Work and Income New Zealand can offer loans to qualifying applications to cover school costs. You don't have to be on a benefit, but income thresholds apply. If you are on a benefit, you can apply for an advance to help with school costs.
If you're caring for someone else's child and receiving unsupported child benefit or orphan's benefit, you can apply for the school start up payment.
If you live in Papanui, Papanui Rotary's Children In Need Trust can help with small grants, but remember it's only for Papanui residents.
Remember to talk to your school. They should be flexible about families taking a bit longer to purchase some uniform items. Some may offer hardship grants and donations from parents are voluntary by law. If you do pay the donation, you can claim a tax rebate for up to one third of the cost.
Different iwi have funding available for schooling - talk to the individual tribe for details including how to apply.
Contact my staff if you would like to discuss school costs. I am also happy to hear from parents if schools are penalising families for non payment - this should not happen.
From Duncan Webb
Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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53.9% Human-centred experience and communication
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14.3% Critical thinking
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29.2% Resilience and adaptability
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2.6% Other - I will share below!
Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Addictive Eaters Anonymous
Monthly AEA Web Events
The AEA Web Event is a monthly online meeting where AEA members from all over the world come together to share their experience, strength and hope. Three members speak for 10 minutes each, followed by member sharing.
ALL NEWCOMERS WELCOME.
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