About us
About us
At Brasileirinhos Aotearoa New Zealand Charitable Trust, we celebrate the richness of Brazilian language, culture, and community here in Aotearoa. Casa Brasil is our home — a place where families connect, traditions are shared, and Portuguese is kept alive for future generations. Guided by volunteers and supported by dedicated teachers, we work together to create meaningful programmes, joyful events, and a sense of belonging for everyone who walks through our doors.
Language: Identity, and a Lifelong Journey
Portuguese is more than a language — it is memory, belonging, and the thread that connects Brazilian families across generations. At Casa Brasil, we honour Portuguese as a living expression of identity, culture, and community.
Our programmes support every stage of the Brazilian experience in Aotearoa. Families join us from early childhood through adulthood, moving from first exposure to confident communication. Through play, music, reading, conversation, and structured learning, we help children, teens, and adults maintain a strong connection to their heritage while building the skills to use Portuguese in daily life.
From the joyful beginnings of our Brazilian Playgroup, to the growing confidence of children and teens in our language classes, to the practical communication skills developed in our Adult Portuguese Classes, we create a pathway where Portuguese remains alive, meaningful, and rooted in identity.
Language is how we remember where we come from — and how we stay connected to who we are.
Culture You Can Live, Celebrate, and Share
Brazilian culture is at the heart of everything we do — vibrant, joyful, and meant to be shared. At Casa Brasil, culture is not something preserved in isolation. It is lived, celebrated, and generously offered to the wider Aotearoa community.
Through festivals, music, food, dance, traditions, and storytelling, we create opportunities for families to experience Brazil in meaningful, authentic ways. Our cultural events — from Carnaval to Festa Junina, Children’s Day, and community gatherings — bring joy, identity, and belonging to all ages.
We also open our doors to the local community, inviting Kiwis and people from all backgrounds to join us. By sharing our traditions, flavours, rhythms, and stories, we build bridges between cultures and strengthen the connection between Brazil and Aotearoa.
Culture becomes a meeting place — a space where everyone is welcome to learn, celebrate, and feel part of something colourful and alive.
Community: A Home for Connection and Belonging
Casa Brasil is more than a venue — it is a home where people feel seen, supported, and connected. Our community programmes are designed to strengthen the bonds between families, generations, and cultures, creating a sense of belonging for Brazilians living in Aotearoa and for everyone who walks through our doors.
We support the full Brazilian experience in New Zealand, offering spaces where people can meet, learn, celebrate, and navigate life together. From our Senior Club, where elders find companionship and cultural familiarity, to our Brazilian Market, which brings families together around food, music, and community spirit, to our Migrant Support Workshops, which help newcomers settle with confidence — every initiative is rooted in care and connection.
Our upcoming Football Club, the Youth Apprentice Programme, and our School Holiday Programme further strengthen intergenerational ties, giving children and young people opportunities to grow, play, and express their identity in a culturally rich environment.
Community is where culture becomes lived experience — and where every person feels they belong.
Powered by Volunteers, Sustained by Community
Brasileirinhos is a volunteer‑led organisation built on generosity, collaboration, and shared purpose. While our teachers are paid professionals who deliver high‑quality educational programmes, everything else — from administration and coordination to events, cultural celebrations, and the day‑to‑day running of Casa Brasil — is carried out by volunteers who give their time, skills, and heart.
Their dedication is what allows Casa Brasil to thrive as a warm, welcoming home for families, learners, and culture‑seekers.
And there is always room for more hands, more voices, and more hearts.
Adults can volunteer at events, support programmes, help with daily operations, or contribute to special projects. Young people can join our Youth Apprentice Programme, gaining leadership experience while practising Portuguese in meaningful, community‑focused ways.
Getting involved is more than helping — it is becoming part of a collective effort to keep our language, culture, and community alive in Aotearoa.
Together, we build the home we all share.
What We Offer
Our programmes support every stage of the Brazilian experience in New Zealand. Families join us from early childhood through adulthood, from first exposure to confident use of Portuguese.
Current Activities
Brazilian Playgroup (0–5 years)
Music, movement and early language learning.
Portuguese Classes for Children and Teens (5–16 years)
Reading, writing, speaking integrated with culture and identity
Adult Portuguese Classes
Practical language learning for life, travel, work and relationships.
Brazilian Books Library
Access to books in Portuguese to support reading, literacy and cultural connection at home and in class.
Football Club (2 - 6 years)
Introduction to the beautiful game
Senior Club
Weekly gathering where Brazilian seniors feel at home
Brazilian Cultural Events
Carnaval, Festa Junina, Children’s Day and other celebrations throughout the year.
Coming Soon
Brazilian Market
Monthly market at the park, Indoors during winter.
Migrant Support Workshop
Introduction to life in New Zealand
Youth Volunteer / Apprentice Program
A community-focused opportunity for youth to practice Portuguese and make a difference.
School Holiday Programme (April)
A playful and cultural school holiday adventure for kids at Casa Brasil
Our story
Brasileirinhos began with parents looking for a way to help their children grow up in New Zealand while staying connected to their Brazilian identity, language and heritage.
What started as playgroup grew into language classes, cultural celebrations and events. As participation increased, the vision expanded.
Charitable Trust
In 2024, Brasileirinhos became a registered Charitable Trust. This change created a stronger foundation for growth, transparency and long-term planning. It also made it possible to apply for funding, partnerships and community spaces.
This step supports sustainability and enables our mission to grow with the community.
Today, Brasileirinhos Aotearoa focuses not only on language learning. Our priority is helping every Brazilian living in Aotearoa feel pride, connection and a sense of belonging.
Our Future Vision
Our 2025–2030 Strategic Plan outlines the next stage of development. The focus is on sustainability, community access and cultural pride.
Planned developments include:
- A Physical Brazilian Community Space - Accomplished
A place for classes, events, exhibitions and community connection. - A Physical Portuguese Library - Accomplished
A collection of books, cultural resources, literature and history for all ages. - Expanded Digital Learning Ecosystem
More online resources, virtual learning, storytelling, cultural content and national access. - Annual Festivals and Large Events
A stronger visible Brazilian cultural presence across Auckland and Aotearoa. - A Hub for the Brazilian Community
A one‑stop hub for Brazilian culture, community, and connection in Aotearoa.
Our People
Brasileirinhos is made possible by passionate educators, volunteers, cultural leaders and families who believe in the value of language and heritage.
Our structure includes:
-
Board of Trustees
Responsible for strategy, direction and governance. -
Programme Coordinators and Educators
Delivering learning experiences rooted in language and culture. -
Committee Teams
Supporting events, communication, fundraising and community activities.
And most importantly: our families, students and community supporters.
Board of Trustees
Monica Silveira
Founder & Chair
Carol Pires
Trustee - Treasurer
Christiane Rupp
Trustee - Secretary
Join Us
You are welcome whether you want to:
✔ keep Portuguese alive at home
✔ join a supportive Brazilian community
✔ learn Portuguese as an adult
✔ participate in cultural events
✔ volunteer or support our work
Você é muito bem-vindo. 💛💚
