History

In 1866 Dr Thomas Barnardo saw the desperation of the street kids living in the slums of London's East End.

Deciding to devote himself to the improvement of their situation he established Dr Barnardos Homes for destitute children providing food, shelter and education.

The demand for places in Dr Barnardos Homes grew as did the need to raise money to support them. This led Thomas Barnardo to look to the public for support.

In 1867 the first of thousands of donations was sent from New Zealand. This support continued for the next 100 years. However, in the 1960s, it was realised that New Zealand children also had needs that were not adequately being met.

Barnardos New Zealand was incorporated in 1969 and the first programme began in 1972. Today it is an independent organisation that provides many different services to children, young people and their families throughout the country. Continuing in the tradition of Thomas Barnardo, Barnardos aims to ensure that all children get the very best start to life.

In the past 30 years Barnardos has developed services to become one of the country's leading child and family welfare agencies. We are also the largest and most experienced provider of quality educational childcare services, providing thousands of New Zealand children with the best care and education every year.


Timeline:
1845
Thomas Barnardo is born in Dublin, Ireland.
1866
Barnardo arrives in London to study medicine, with the aim of becoming a medical missionary in China. A cholera epidemic, overcrowding, poor housing and thousands of destitute and homeless children in London's East End, prompt him to stay and help children closer to home.
1867
Barnardo sets up his first 'ragged' school in the East End of London, where poor children can get a basic education.
1867
People in New Zealand begin giving money to support the work of Dr Barnardo in England.
1870
He opens his first home for boys in Stepney Causeway.
1905
Thomas Barnardo dies. The charity he founded has 96 homes caring for more than 8,500 children in the United Kingdom. (The last Dr Barnardo's Home closed in 1979.)
1960s
Barnardos supporters in New Zealand look closer to home and see New Zealand children with needs not met.
1969
Barnardos New Zealand was incorporated under the Charitable Trusts Act 1957.
1972
Barnardos New Zealand opens its first service - in Mangere, Manukau City. It includes a childcare centre, on-site social workers and housing for mothers and their children.

Click here to read more on Dr Thomas Barnardos.





Testimonials

Advocacy

"Because children do not vote, it is easy for politicians to ignore their interests, but they can't ignore us when we speak for children."
- Grandparent