Rainbow Place

08/03/2026

Happy International Women’s Day 💜

Today we want to take a moment to recognise the incredible mums we have the privilege of walking alongside. Your strength, love, resilience, and advocacy for your children is truly inspiring.

Every day you show courage in ways many people never see — navigating complex care, advocating fiercely for your child, holding your families together, and still finding ways to love, laugh, and create special moments.

Today we celebrate you. Your strength. Your dedication. Your unwavering love.

You are seen, you are valued, and you are doing an incredible job — even on the hardest days.

Happy International Women’s Day to all the amazing mums in our community. 🌸

28/02/2026

💙💚💜 Rare Disease Day 2026 💜💚💙

Today we stand alongside the millions of children and families living with rare diseases — conditions that may be individually uncommon, but collectively impact so many around the world.

For the whānau we support, “rare” does not mean invisible. It means resilient. It means navigating uncertainty with courage. It means celebrating milestones others may take for granted. It means strength, advocacy, love, and community.

At Rainbow Place, we see every day the incredible bravery of tamariki and their families facing complex, life-limiting conditions. Rare Disease Day is a reminder that awareness matters. Equity matters. Access to specialist care matters. And every child’s life — no matter how rare their condition — has immense value.

Today we honour: ✨ The children living boldly
✨ The families advocating fiercely
✨ The clinicians and researchers striving for better
✨ The communities that wrap around them

Let’s continue to raise awareness, drive understanding, and ensure no family feels alone on their journey.

💙

15/02/2026

We have been incredibly lucky to receive this beautiful donation of fresh flowers from Kirsten Foote, a former Rainbow Place mum.
Kirsten kindly gifted these blooms from her small flower farm Maeve’s Garden as a way of giving back, and we are so grateful for her thoughtfulness and generosity.
It’s such a special thing when families remain connected to Rainbow Place and continue to share kindness with others who are walking similar journeys.
We had the privilege of passing them on to a few of our families who were needing an extra bit of love, comfort, and encouragement at the moment.
Acts of kindness like this mean so much, and they ripple further than people realise. Thank you, Kirsten, for thinking of our families and for sharing something so beautiful from your heart and your home

12/02/2026

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to New Zealand Certified Builders Association for choosing Rainbow Place as the charity of choice for their Charity Golf Tournament last year.

It was an honour to attend the event and be part of such a generous and community-focused day. Thanks to the incredible support of everyone involved, a wonderful donation was raised to help us continue supporting the children and whānau we walk alongside.

Your generosity makes a real and lasting difference in the lives of the families we care for. We are so grateful for your support and for the opportunity to be part of such a fantastic event.

Thank you for making Rainbow Place part of your community. 💛

11/02/2026

It’s amazing what can happen when our community comes together for our kids. 🌈

We want to send a special thank you to David and the legends at the Hamilton Community Men's Shed - NZ. They recently delivered two spectacular, handmade activity boards designed specifically to keep little hands busy and curious minds engaged.

At Rainbow Place, we know that play is a vital part of support and development. Having a second board means even more of our children can enjoy these tactile treasures at the same time.

We are so grateful to have friends like you in our corner.

31/12/2025

✨ Happy New Year from Rainbow Place ✨

As we step into a new year, we want to take a moment to reflect with gratitude on the incredible community that surrounds Rainbow Place.

To our amazing Rainbow Place families – thank you for trusting us with your children and for allowing us to walk alongside you. Your strength, love, and openness continue to inspire us every day.

To our dedicated staff – thank you for the care, compassion, and commitment you bring to your work. The heart you put into supporting children and families does not go unnoticed, and Rainbow Place simply would not be what it is without you.

To the many services, professionals, supporters, volunteers, donors, and community members who give their time, resources, expertise, and generosity – thank you for standing with us. Your support helps us create a place of connection, safety, and joy for families when they need it most.

We are so grateful for each and every person who has been part of our journey this past year. We look forward to continuing to work together, support one another, and make meaningful memories in the year ahead.

Here’s to a new year filled with kindness, connection, and hope 🌈✨

24/12/2025

🎄✨ Merry Christmas from Rainbow Place ✨🎄

As we reach the end of the year, we want to wish our Rainbow Place families, children, and wider community a very Merry Christmas.

We know that Christmas can be a season of mixed emotions. Alongside moments of joy and connection, there is also deep sadness for families who are grieving the loss of a child, and for those carrying loved ones in their hearts this Christmas. We honour and remember your precious children, and we hold you close in our thoughts.

It has been a year filled with courage, love, and extraordinary strength. We are deeply grateful to walk alongside such incredible families and to be supported by a compassionate community.

Wherever you are and however this season looks for you, we hope there are moments of comfort, peace, and gentleness. Thank you for being part of the Rainbow Place family.

With love and care this Christmas,
From the Rainbow Place team x🎄

18/12/2025

Thank you Shya 🥰

🧸 A heartfelt and handmade donation to Rainbow Place. Using her talent and new found love for crocheting, Shya, a 12-year-old student from Horsham Downs Primary School created and donated a wonderful box of handmade crochet animals to Rainbow Place as part of her passion project for the William Pike Challenge.

This amazing donation fulfils the passion project component of the challenge, which requires 20 hours dedicated to a new hobby and community projects. Shya’s beautiful, creative toys will help bring comfort and joy to the brave children and young people at Rainbow Place.

Thank you Shya!

16/12/2025

✨ A huge thank you to Amanda and the wonderful team, kids, and families at Kindercare NZ Rototuna for their incredible generosity! 💖

Your donation of toys and food is going to bring so much joy and support to our Rainbow Place families this Christmas. We are truly touched by your kindness and community spirit!

They even included wrapping paper so we can make all the presents look extra special! 🎁🎄

It’s through support like this that we can help our families LIVE EVERY MOMENT. Thank you, Kindercare Rototuna!

09/12/2025

A huge thank you to David and the crew at the Hamilton Community Men's Shed - NZ for crafting this fantastic activity board for our Rainbow Place children. 🌈💖 This will provide hours of fun for the children in our care.

We’d love to create more, so if you’re a DIY legend—or even if you just have some interactive bits and pieces to contribute—please get in touch!

03/12/2025

🌟 International Day of Persons with Disabilities 🌟
3 December

Today, we join the global community in recognising the strength, resilience, and uniqueness of children and young people living with disabilities.

At Rainbow Place, we have the privilege of walking alongside incredible tamariki and rangatahi who inspire us every day with their courage, creativity, and spirit. We also acknowledge the whānau and caregivers who advocate, support, and love fiercely through every challenge and triumph.

This day is a reminder of the importance of inclusion, accessibility, and understanding — and of celebrating the abilities, dreams, and individuality of every child.

💛 Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui.
💛 We see you, we value you, and we stand with you.

16/11/2025

The Farmers Christmas Bauble & Trees of Remembrance campaign is back!

If you love collecting the iconic Farmers Christmas baubles — or you’re simply hunting for a special ornament to brighten your tree — this year’s beautiful holly-inspired design is the perfect keepsake.

By purchasing a bauble at your local Farmers store (Centre Place, The Base, Chartwell, Matamata, or Thames), you’re not just decorating your tree… you’re also supporting Hospice Waikato and the work we do through Rainbow Place for children and their families. 💛

We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing generosity and heartfelt support from Farmers stores across Aotearoa.

From all of us at Rainbow Place and Hospice Waikato — Meri Kirihimete! 🎄

The Farmers Christmas Bauble & Trees of Remembrance campaign is back!

If you’re a regular collector of the Farmers Christmas baubles, or just looking for that special trinket to brighten your tree, this year’s holly-inspired bauble might be the perfect addition.
When you purchase a bauble at your local Farmers store — Centre Place, The Base, Chartwell, Matamata, or Thames — you’re also making a meaningful donation to Hospice Waikato.
A huge thank you to Farmers for their continued and heartfelt support of hospices throughout New Zealand.

Merry Christmas from all of us at Hospice Waikato!