Community meeting with Dame Julie Chapman DNZM

Dame Julie Chapman founded the KidsCan Charitable Trust in 2005, and Pet Refuge New Zealand in 2017. In December 2024, she was appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to children and the community.

Kidscan provides physical and nutritional support to New Zealand children living in poverty.  Julie was inspired to found KidsCan after learning of children staying away from school because they didn't have raincoats. Julie began running the charity out of her garage, with a grant of $40,000. By 2022, the charity had grown to an annual revenue of more than $20 million.

Pet Refuge New Zealand is a charity that provides temporary shelter for family pets affected by domestic violence at its purpose-built shelter until they can be reunited with their owners.

I am accepting pre-submitted questions so we can maximise the time available. Please email your questions to [email protected]