Donating Goods

Your gifts can make a big difference in the lives of our tāngata whaiora/clients

You can help by providing resources for Aviva services and education programmes, or by providing essential goods that go directly to whaiora. Many face challenging circumstances, including financial abuse or needing to leave their homes quickly with minimal belongings. They are incredibly thankful for the community's willingness to donate goods to support them.

What our clients need

All items should be new and unopened.

Resources for Aviva services and education programmes

  • Worry dolls for tamariki group
  • Toys and books for children 5+ (just not toy weapons)
  • Art supplies (e.g. sketch pads, colouring books, good quality markers) for rangatahi/youth 
  • Stress balls and/or fidget toys
  • Pampering items or treats for men and women (e.g. chocolates, sweets, fancy hand creams or shower gels, etc.)
  • Care packs or items to go in care packs. See below for more information.

Essential items for tāngata whaiora/clients

  • Warehouse, Kmart, or mall vouchers
  • Supermarket vouchers
  • Petrol vouchers
  • Non-perishable food products or food packs. See below for more information.
  • Toiletries, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toiletries for men
  • Sanitary products

Food and Care Packs

Many tāngata whaiora leave unsafe relationships or move into new homes with little more than the clothes they are wearing. Having food and care packs readily available means our kaimahi can quickly provide practical support when it is needed most

I want to donate care packages

These donations provide practical support, comfort, and dignity for tāngata whai ora at some of the most challenging times in their lives. As storage space is limited, please contact ✉community@aviva.org.nz to ensure we have space available.

Sexual Violence (SV) care packs are provided to people following a sexual assault, often while they undergo a medical examination. Family Violence (FV) care packs support those who have left unsafe situations, helping meet immediate needs while they begin rebuilding their lives.

What to put in SV care packages:

  • Plain or gently patterned wool/fleece blankets
  • Travel size toiletries suitable for women - body wash, body lotion, shampoo and conditioner (sealed and unopened)
  • Travel size toiletries suitable for men
  • Treats – e.g. chocolate, sweets, hot chocolate sachets, calming teas (sealed and unopened)
  • Comfort and wellbeing items – e.g. adult colouring books, packs of colouring pens and pencils, stress balls, and fidget toys.

What to put in FV care packages:

  • Reusable bags to hold everything (preferably drawstring or zip)
  • General toiletries, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant (sealed and unopened)
  • Pampering items – e.g. lotions, face masks, etc.
  • Treats or comfort and wellbeing items
  • Packages for men

What to include separately:

  • Sanitary products
  • Makeup, nail polish or jewellery
  • Colouring crayons for children
I want to donate food packs

For tāngata whaiora already in crisis, the effort that goes into figuring out what to cook, how to use unfamiliar ingredients, or knowing whether their children will even eat it can be overwhelming. Food packs with purposeful ingredients lists and recipes, take that pressure off.

Ingredients lists and recipes

Here are four easy food packs you can make. Just gather everything from the ingredients list, put it together in a bag, then deliver them to Aviva. If your able, include a printed copy of the recipe with the food pack.

The pictures are there to help you find ingredients, but feel free to grab a different or more affordable brand.

I want to supplement my food packs

Here's some ideas for supplementing the food packs or other foods you can donate separately.

I want to donate Christmas gifts

Be the reason a child has a gift to open this Christmas 🎄

By donating a gift, you directly support Christmas for tāngata whaiora who might otherwise go without.

New, unwrapped gifts help ensure each item is safe, high quality, and can be selected to suit the individual child, young person, or whānau receiving it.

Please deliver gifts by 11 December to allow time to distribute them. Gifts can be delivered during Aviva office hours Monday to Friday 9am-4pm.

While some tāngata whaiora have babies and toddlers, the greatest demand is for gifts suitable for tamariki/children aged five and over, as this is the age group most directly supported through our children's services.

Items we are unable to accept

While we greatly appreciate the generosity of our community, our storage capacity, client needs, and available staff resources mean we are unable to accept the following items.

  • Furniture
  • Whiteware
  • Baby items such as second-hand wooden cots, walkers or car seats
  • Second hand bedding
  • Second hand household items (kitchenware, cutlery, etc.)
  • Second hand electrical items (unless tagged and tested by a professional)
  • Perishable food items
  • Damaged, expired or opened goods
  • Pills of any kind (including vitamins and supplements)
  • Lighters, cigarettes or alcohol
  • Second hand soft toys
  • Toy weapons such as nerf guns, water pistols, or lightsabres

Where to donate these items instead?

Aviva works collaboratively with other social service organisations to provide many essentials. By donating your goods to the following organisations, you are still supporting Aviva clients.

 

Contact Aviva

If you have any questions, email ✉community@aviva.org.nz or call ✆0800 28 48 26.