Boon and his family have opened their home to mokopuna through foster care for the past three and a half years. 

As part of our foster carer video series, we sat down with Boon and his daughter Bella to hear about their experiences, the challenges and the special moments that come with being a foster family.   

For Boon, one of the most important lessons has been recognising that every child is different and taking the time to understand their individual needs.  

“Any child that comes to our home, they are all very different. So, we don’t put every single child in the same box.”  

He explains that it can take months for mokopuna to feel comfortable and settled in a new home. Building trust takes patience, understanding and a willingness to listen, particularly when trying to understand the reasons behind a child's behaviour.  

For Bella, becoming part of a foster family initially brought a mixture of excitement and nerves.  

“When I first found out, I was very happy but also very nervous, and I didn’t know how it was going to turn out,” she says. 

Over time, the mokopuna welcomed into their home have become an important part of their family.  

“To me they are like my brothers, so if anyone asks I say they are my brothers.”  

While fostering brings many rewarding moments, Boon also acknowledges the challenges. He shares the importance of taking a moment to step back, regulate your own emotions, and ask for support when needed. Having respite care available and a social worker who is only a phone call away has helped them through challenging times. 

Boon compares fostering to running a circus, where everyone has a role in looking after one another.  

“I think of myself as a ringmaster, making sure everything falls in place. Also double as a clown, because you need to find humour in all of this to survive.” 

Reflecting on their journey, Boon hopes more people recognise just how rewarding fostering can be and the unexpected love that comes with it.  

“I wish more people knew how rewarding it is. How much love you have that you didn't know you had,” says Boon.  

Bella also hopes more people understand that every child in foster care has their own personality, experiences, and needs.  

For Boon and Bella, fostering has been a journey of learning, patience, and love. While it comes with challenges, their experiences show how fostering positively impacts families and just how meaningful opening your home and heart to mokopuna can be.