A number of our families / children are currently sponsored through the Variety Club. If you think your child / children would qualify for this support see the criteria and link below. Email Ellie @ elliecherry@redwoodprimary.school.nz if you would like support to complete the application.

Variety Club – the Children’s charity is about giving Kiwi kids the childhood they deserve. Variety Club are focussed on improving the health, education, and wellbeing of children and young people experiencing financial hardship, sickness and disability.

Variety provide tailored, flexible support to children throughout New Zealand. We work alongside schools, community agencies, social workers, healthcare professionals and Healthy Homes Initiative to deliver the support that our children and young people need.

We deliver 3 programmes: (*Children can be eligible for more than one programme.)

• Kiwi Kids Sponsorship – Ongoing support for children aged between 4-17 years which can be renewed annually to cover basic essentials and school related costs

• Individual Grants – One-off grants for children aged between 0-18yrs to support their education, health or wellbeing. Maximum grant is $2000.

• Beds for Kids – We collaborate with the Healthy Homes Initiatives (HHI’s) to provide new beds, bunks, cots and bedding packs to 0-18 year old’s.

Kiwi Kids Sponsorship is Variety’s flagship programme and matches a child in need with a sponsor to provide funding each year for basic essentials, school related costs and extra curricular activities

You can apply for Kiwi Kid Sponsorship if:

• A child is aged 4-17 years old

• A child is a NZ resident or citizen

• The family is struggling financially

• The waiting list to be matched with a sponsor and access funding is 1-6 months long.

To apply for Kiwi Kid’s Sponsorship the referrer/caregiver need:

Variety Club will need:

1. A copy of the child’s birth certificate or passport or residence visa

2. A valid Community Services Card or 2 months of bank statements from all accounts or verified budget sheet from budget advisor

3. Clear individual photo of the child. If more than 1 child, please label each child’s photo so we can identify the child. 

Variety CAN cover:

• Clothing
• Shoes
• Bedding
• School uniform
• School Stationary
• School bag, lunch box, drink bottle
• School trips, school camps
• School activity fees – excluding the school donation or any voluntary payments.
• Extra -curricular activities – swimming, rugby, dance, music lessons etc
• Medical costs (GP visits and specialist appointments referred by a medical practitioner)
• Medicine
• Glasses
• Car seats
• Sports equipment
• Chromebooks only required school stationery (up to $200 towards the total cost)

Variety CANNOT cover:

• Bikes, skateboards or scooters
• Digital devices (Laptops, tablets, printers) Excluding Chromebooks if required school stationery.
• Mobile phones
• Replacement accessories or chargers
• Food
• Toys
• Toiletries
• Dental and orthodontics
• School fees
• School donation, voluntary payments, attendance fees, proprietors fees
• School photos
• School magazines, year books, school balls and formals
• Bus, train, or taxi fares
• HOP cards
• Beds or cots -Refer to the Individual Grant application
• Furniture

Applications for Variety programmes are done online via our website www.variety.org.nz .

We do not accept paper/email applications and we currently work with all SENCOs/SWiS/teachers/Principals/Deputy Principals in schools and communities throughout the country.