This afternoon at Government House Wellington, Dame Cindy hosted the Caring Families Aotearoa Excellence in Foster Care Awards – a very special event recognising fourteen extraordinary caregivers for their commitment and manaakitanga, not only to the foster children in their care, but also to their wider communities.
As the Governor-General remarked in her speech: 'I know that many of you receiving awards today might feel you are not worthy of any kind of recognition. I wish to insist on the opposite: I can think of few more deserving of acknowledgement and thanks for the work you do, and the deepest care you show to these most vulnerable members of our society.'
You can find more images from the ceremony via the Caring Families Aotearoa Excellence in Foster Care Awards 2025 image gallery, and read Dame Cindy's full speech via Her Excellency's address for Caring Families Aotearoa Excellence in Foster Care Awards 2025.