About Us

Vision

Every child and young person growing

in a secure, loving family and receiving

a depth of care which will bless them

throughout their life.

Mission

Providing Quality

Child-Centred

Family-Focused

Christian Social Services

Values

Respect

We have respect for all people, their culture, their uniqueness and their dignity.

Partnering Relationships

We work to build healthy communities through humble and honest dialogue and caring collaboration.

Strong Family/Whanau

We know that children and young people are best cared for by their own family/whanau and we will work to strengthen families so they can nurture and care for their children and young people successfully.

Christ Centred

Jesus is the source of life and we follow His teaching in all we believe and in the way we work.

Best Practice

We work to keep our practice current, relevant and also to inspire hope as we work with family/whanau to achieve best outcomes for children and young people.

Christian Social Action

We are engaged in confronting injustice and oppression in our society in order to promote healing, empowerment and reconciliation.

Being Bi-cultural

Tupu Tahi/Growing Together as One is the philosophical basis by which Tauiwi and Maori of Open Home Foundation/Te Whare Kaupapa Awhina are able to engage in respectful partnership dialogue on any issue, with a view to progress together as one body in Christ.

Tupu Tahi/Growing Together as One is Open Home Foundation’s/Te Whare Kaupapa Awhina’s commitment as Maori and Tauiwi to journey together, to celebrate cultural diversity and provide the environment for bi-cultural and cross cultural practice.

History

The Open Home Foundation of New Zealand was established in 1977 by Ewen and Gillian Laurenson.

Following their difficult experience in running a Social Welfare family home, they began to develop a network of Christian foster families as an alternative for children and young people placed in Department of Social Welfare care.

The work began in the Laurenson’s Johnsonville home with a small group of supporters and within a short period of time, it began to develop in other parts of New Zealand.

In 1986 because of rapid growth Open Home Foundation became a national organisation.

Both Ewen and Gillian were awarded the Queen Service Medal for their service to Foster Care in New Zealand in 1995.