We offer you information, support and developmental assessments of your child. Each year, tens of thousands of New Zealand parents and whanau use Plunket services. Plunket nurses provide support through home and clinic visits, mobile clinics and PlunketLine, a free telephone advice service for parents (0800 933 922, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Plunket also organises car seat rental schemes, parent groups, parenting education and toy libraries – most of which are available nationwide and free of charge.
Plunket care delivery staff
Plunket care delivery staff include Plunket nurses, Plunket kaiāwhina (Māori health workers), and Plunket community karitane. Plunket nurses are registered nurses with a speciality qualification in Well Child/Tamariki Ora nursing. Plunket kaiāwhina and community karitane (including Maori and Pacific health workers) are educated in a wide range of parenting and health issues to give extra support to family/whanau.
Home visits
From four to six weeks after birth, Plunket nurses are available for regular visits to listen and respond to your thoughts and concerns. They can provide information about a number of health issues including feeding, sleep position, safety, immunisation and parenting. Your midwife can contact Plunket for you, or you can sign-up online.
During the first home visit, the Plunket nurse will give your baby a full physical assessment and discuss their growth and development, feeding behaviour and early parenting. This is a great opportunity for you and your Plunket nurse to get to know each other. Further visits can then be arranged so that you have ongoing support.
In your local community
Plunket provides local community services and activities and can help put you in touch with other families in your area. The regular coffee groups are a great way to make some friends with other new mums. Your Plunket nurse can tell you what’s happening in your region, or have a look online.
Plunket also run parenting education programmes where you can learn about your role as a parent and your child’s development.
Getting involved
If you find that being a new parent doesn’t keep you busy enough, there are many exciting ways you can get involved with Plunket, from organising parent groups to running car seat rental schemes, play groups, music groups or toy libraries – the list is endless.
Volunteering is a great way to meet other parents, get involved in your local community and maybe even learn some new skills. If you want to get involved contact your local plunket office or sign-up online – no long-term commitment required.
