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Apply for Kiwi Kid Sponsorship

A sponsor is a caring person who gives money regularly to help pay for the cost of everyday items for your child, like clothing, shoes, bedding, school uniforms and stationery and school camp.

Sponsorship can also help pay for after-school activities like swimming or music lessons. Help with the cost of health care is also possible.

What help will we get? Can I apply? What is the process? Documents I need FAQs
Start application

What help will we get?

black-essentials

Everyday essentials

Bedding, clothing, shoes, lunch boxes, drink bottles

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School costs

Uniforms, stationery, activity fees, school camps, trips

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After school activities

Swimming lessons, dance lessons, music lessons, sports club fees, sports uniforms

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Medical fees

Doctors' fees, prescriptions and glasses

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Technology

Buy a digital device for school

Can I apply?

You can apply for Kiwi Kid Sponsorship if your:

  • icon--checkChild is aged 4 to 17 years old
  • icon--checkChild is a NZ resident or citizen
  • icon--checkFamily is struggling to pay your living costs
What is the process?
1
Apply online
Complete the online form. Make sure you attach the documents needed for the application. Get started at the bottom of this page.
2
We find a sponsor for your child
It can take up to 24 months for your child to be matched to a sponsor. Sponsored children receive $450 per year. 
3
Your sponsor is found
When a sponsor is found, we will email you a Welcome Pack, which includes information on how to access your funds. 
4
Support through the year
When your child is first sponsored we will send a $100 Warehouse Purchase Order that can be used to buy the things your child needs right now - clothing, shoes and bedding. You need to spend your child’s KKS funding each year to buy essential items they need. You (or your child's school) can send invoices that we pay directly. You do not have to pay any of this money back.

Kiwi Kid Sponsorship funding is provided on a yearly basis and there is no guarantee of funding beyond this. When your child has been on the programme for a year, you will be required to submit a renewal form on the Variety website and provide supporting documentation, including a valid Community Services Card. Your child will then receive funds for another year.

What do I need to apply?

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Proof of children's identity

A copy of your child's New Zealand birth certificate or New Zealand passport.

Group 550

A copy of your child's Resident's Visa

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Financial information

Community Services Card

Please attach a copy of the valid card for the caregiver living with your child.

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A budget sheet from a budgeting agency

This must be signed and dated by the caregiver and the budgeting agency.

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Your last 2 months' bank statements

You must include the statements for every bank account, i.e. your everyday account and your savings account.

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Photo

Recent colour photo of your child

Apply for Kiwi Kid Sponsorship now

Let us answer your questions about Kiwi Kid Sponsorship.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. You can apply for all of the children in your care aged 4 to 17.
Once your application has been reviewed and approved it can take up to 24 months to match a child with a sponsor.
When your child is matched to a sponsor you will receive an email telling you who your sponsor is (first name only), and where abouts in New Zealand they live.
Typically the value of sponsorship is $450 per year.
To know how much funding is available on your child's account, you may do ANY of the following:
  • Check with your child's Variety champion at school. This would be the person at the school office who submits invoices to us on your child's behalf.
  • Log-in to Variety website.
  • Email us at kiwikids@variety.org.nz asking for the information, and with your child's name and child ID (e.g. C123456) in the subject line.
When your child is first sponsored we will send a $100 Warehouse Purchase Order that can be used to buy the things your child needs right now - clothing, shoes and bedding . The balance of your sponsorship can be used throughout the year. You (or your child's school) can send invoices that we pay directly.
A school champion is someone in your school who can help you apply for sponsorship or send claims to Variety for payment on your behalf.
If there is no School Champion in your child's school, please send your invoices to kiwikids@variety.org.nz for payment. Be sure to include your child's full details such as their name and if you have it, the child ID (e.g. C123456) as well.
Each year we will ask you to complete a renewal form on the Variety website. You will be required to confirm your contact information and provide a photo of your VALID Community Services Card. You will also need to provide a new photo of your child and help them fill in an 'About Me' to be shared with their sponsor. If you do not provide the information we require your child’s sponsorship will be cancelled.
Your child can be sponsored until they are 18 years old or they no longer go to school, or your circumstances change and you do not need support from Variety. You must renew your child’s sponsorship each year to access another year of funding- this does not happen automatically. If your child is still at school their sponsorship will end at the next renewal date after their 18th birthday. If they leave school before 18 years, but are doing a NZQA credited course, they will still receive sponsorship.
Clothing, shoes, school stationery, school activities (camp/sports), bedding, digital devices
The funds you receive must be used within 12 months of your child’s sponsorship. Any unused funds will not be available to carry over into the next year of sponsorship.
Yes, Variety has strict systems and protocols in place to ensure that you and your child's information is protected and kept confidential.
No, old WHPOs do not have an expiry date. However, we do encourage you to use the purchase order for your children's essentials as soon as you can.
No, not at all. You can still buy what your child needs at The Warehouse. You simply need to use the WHPO before the expiry date.
As new children join KKS, Variety needs to make sure that it has better oversight of the WHPOs that we are issuing. Including an expiry date means that Variety can more easily track what has been issued versus what has been used by caregivers.
Unfortunately, you will no longer be able to use this WHPO. The funding will have expired.
If this happens, please go to the enquiries counter at The Warehouse and find out why it won't be accepted. You can also call Variety during our office hours (8.30am-5pm Monday-Friday) on 09 520 4111 and someone from the team can talk to The Warehouse staff for you.
No, there are no changes to the way you use a WHPO – the process remains the same. Please remember you must request a WHPO via your account on the Variety website.
You must have a valid Community Services Card (CSC) to renew your child’s funding.
  • If your CSC has expired, contact Work and Income to get a new one.
  • If you’re no longer eligible for a CSC, your child may not qualify for KKS funding.
  • If you’re unsure, please get in touch with Variety so we can talk through your situation
Unfortunately, paper forms are no longer an option. All renewals must be done online. If you're stuck, reach out to Variety or your School Champion—they can help you to complete the online form.
The agreement sets out how Variety will provide funding and what’s expected from you. It includes using the funding properly, updating your contact details, and staying in touch with your child’s sponsor. It helps us all work together to give your child the best support possible.
Group 89 More questions? Contact us on 09 520 4111 or kiwikids@variety.org.nz

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Variety is a registered charitable organization under the Charities Act 2005.

Our Charities Commission registration number is CC24039.