Care product packs making a difference in Tairāwhiti

Oranga Tamariki social worker Tami Gooch noticed the young people she works with had a need for hygiene products. She had an idea to supply them with care packs so they didn't have to go without.

Gooch says she knew some of the items in the care packs would be things some of the young people they worked with wouldn’t have. She had seen this in her previous role as a social worker at SuperGrans, which also operates as a food bank.

“I could see that so many people didn’t have basics like toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, just things we would take for granted. When you pass them on these young people are so thankful.

“It’s simple things that if the budget is tight at home those things aren’t the necessaries parents might grab. Especially like hygiene products, but the boys need it.”

She provided the care packs through the Turanga Oranga Rangatahi programme, in partnership with Te Runanga O Turanganui A Kiwa - Turanga Social Services. She had the idea to reach out to Clarke Judd at Rapid Relief Team (RRT) as she had worked with him previously in this area.

“He was keen to support us and said he could request 30 packs, and we could go from there. He went away and put the proposal through, and it got approved, so he came and dropped the packs off not long after that.”

The packs include things like flannel, soap, roll on deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, comb and they all come in their own reuseable toilet bag.

The Oranga Rangatahi programme is run by Oranga Tamariki alongside partner agencies and is a preventive youth justice programmes supported by iwi, police, and local schools, for young people primarily aged 11-14.

There are 7 programmes across the central North Island including Levin, Huntly, Hastings, Napier, Wairoa, Ōpōtiki and Gisborne. Gisborne is the newest programme, starting at the end of 2025.

The same day the packs were delivered, 2 rangatahi they worked with came in and received a pack. They were stoked. Tami said:

“They were like ‘we don’t have any of this stuff at home’.

It’s great, it’s something so simple but so rewarding.

By removing the financial barrier, we are not only increasing access to essential care items, we are empowering our rangatahi to take responsibility for their own wellbeing. Practicing good hygiene supports physical health and strengthens confidence and self-esteem.

It’s nice to be able to help and know they really cherish it and are thankful for it.

They love that it comes in the little travel bag as well, taking something home that belongs to them as well.”

RRT Gisborne leader Clarke Judd says he is thankful Tami reached out so they could be involved in this collaboration.

“It was a pleasure to be able support and something I will definitely look to support further in the future.

RRT believes in showing care and compassion to those in need and to give tangible support to charities, government and emergency services confronting some of humankind’s greatest challenges.

To be able to make a contribution to a need in our local community is a privilege and that is why we volunteer to do what we do.”