Accessing support for your children and family in
New Zealand
Quality of life is a major reason migrating families choose New Zealand as their new home country. Among other reasons, New Zealand is regarded as an excellent place to raise a family. However, regardless of your surroundings, every family is bound to experience some challenges, whether they spring from health issues, financial hardship, single parenting, age and behaviour-related concerns or adjustment difficulties.
Luckily, New Zealand offers a wealth of support networks to parents of children of all ages, which cater either to specific issues or serve as springboards to specialised services. Chances are, if you need family support in New Zealand, you won’t have to look hard to find it.
Below is a list of major national support groups, organisations and community groups that will assist you with your parenting hurdles:
- Plunket – New Zealand’s iconic leader in well-child and family health, Plunket promotes community, caring and support through educational initiatives, courses and clinical health services as New Zealand’s largest provider of support services for the development, health and wellbeing of children under the age of five.
- Kidshealth – Hosted by the Paedeatric Society of New Zealand and the Starship Foundation, this parent support website offers information and support on all aspects of children’s health, as well as detailed information on the New Zealand healthcare system.
- Well Child – Through the Ministry of Health’s Well Child program, children living in New Zealand are entitled to free health checks up to five years of age, including health education and promotion, health protection and clinical assessment, and family care and support.
- Healthline – The Ministry of Health sponsored Healthline provides free, 24-hour access to support and advice from registered nurses in New Zealand.
- Parents Centre – One of New Zealand’s parenting networks and associated infrastructure for parents and their children aged newborn to six, Parents Centre is the country’s primary provider of antenatal education and childbirth support in New Zealand.
- Ministry of Education – New Zealand’s Ministry of Education offers support and information targeted at parents with information on choosing a school, learning more about school life, or preparing for your child's first day at school, as well as understanding what to do if your child has special needs.
- Kiwi Families – A supportive guide to raising children in New Zealand, Kiwi Families offers support around pre-conception, pregnancy, babies, toddlers to teens, as well as expert parenting advice and information.
- Parent to Parent – Parent to Parent offers free information and support to parents and families of children with disabilities, health impairments and special needs.
- Grandparents Raising Grandchildren – For grandparents in primary care giving roles, this not-for-profit organisation offers support to ensure fair treatment from the legal and child protection services in New Zealand in order to stabilise and normalise the life of the children involved.
- Multiple Birth Association – This nationwide organisation gives practical help, support and resources to parents of multiples.
- Tough Love – A specialist support group for parents of teenagers who are struggling with ‘unacceptable’ behaviour, this not-for-profit, self help organisation provides ongoing education and active support to families, empowering parents and young people to accept responsibility for their actions and stop destructive behaviours.