Diana Halsted by PSS

Life Membership for Former Family Works Director

After decades of involvement with foster parents and children, former Family Works Southland Director Diana Halsted has been made a life member of Fostering Kids New Zealand. 

Diana Halsted has been passionate about supporting foster parents for more than 30 years.

Now, her contribution and dedication has been recognised with a Life Membership to the national body; Fostering Kids New Zealand.

Throughout an extensive career in social work, including 13 years with Child, Youth and Family, and 15 years with Presbyterian Support Southland (during which she oversaw the inception of the Child and Family Support Service; now Family Works), Diana has maintained an active role in supporting foster parents.

Whether it be years of involvement in local foster care associations or her membership of the Board of Fostering Kids New Zealand, she remains passionate about supporting the foster families who open their homes and hearts to the children in their care and dedicate many hours to the cause.

“Foster parents are so important to children, they make such a difference in a child’s life,” she said.
“I have such a strong belief in supporting foster parents so that children have safe and secure placements; it’s just so important that foster parents are acknowledged, supported and listened to, and that their voices are heard.”

Since leaving Southland in 2006, Diana has been an active member of the Wellington Foster Care Association, along with the national body and a number of other voluntary organisations.