Whānau Āwhina Plunket opens new Westgate hub
29 April 2024
Accessing Plunket appointments will be more convenient for West Auckland whānau, with the opening of a new hub in the popular Westgate shopping centre.
The new premises replace the former Enterprise Drive location and features two spacious clinic rooms. Appointments for Well Child and B4 School Checks are now available to book, with a hearing and vision team available on select days for four-year-olds.
Meet Isla - our first ever ambassador
24 April 2024
Meet our very first Plunket ambassador, nine-year-old Isla Jurgeleit.
Isla and her family are huge supporters of Plunket. They say if it had not been for the quick-thinking advice they received from a PlunketLine nurse, who told them to take Isla straight to hospital when she was just a couple of weeks old, Isla might not be here today.
Whānau Āwhina Plunket volunteer supports whānau to succeed
16 April 2024
Volunteer superstar Diana Castaneira is working with Whānau Āwhina Plunket on Auckland’s North Shore to empower new parents to thrive.
Since 2020, Ms Castaneira has been volunteering with the charitable organisation’s home visiting programme and has supported over 30 families. A desire to see parents and caregivers enjoy the early days with their tamariki is what drives her to give back to the community.
30 years of PlunketLine – supporting parents and caregivers across the country 24/7
11 April 2024
PlunketLine is celebrating a significant milestone today, as the much-loved free-to-call telehealth service turns 30 years old.
Day, night, and in the wee hours of the morning, PlunketLine registered nurses are available to talk to anyone who has questions or concerns about caring for pēpi and tamariki under-five. Parents and caregivers can call free 24/7 on 0800 933 922. They don’t need to be enrolled with Whānau Āwhina Plunket.
Opinion: It takes a village to see tamariki thrive in tough economic times
1 March 2024
By Fiona Kingsford, Whānau Āwhina Plunket Chief Executive
Times are tough at the moment and many whānau are struggling to make ends meet. This Children’s Day (3 March 2024) – a day that should be one of celebration – it’s our little ones who are bearing the brunt and now, more than ever, they need a village behind them.
The cost-of-living crisis is hitting hard. Latest child poverty statistics show one-in-eight children, or 143,700 are going without the basics – fruit and vegetables, heating, and doctor visits. For Māori, it’s one-in-five; Pacific peoples, one-in-four.
Retiring Plunket nurse acknowledged during special unveiling
16 February 2024
Whānau Āwhina Plunket nurse Claire Henderson has retired after more than 30 years with the organisation – but not before completing a special task.
Mrs Henderson had the honour of unveiling hand-crafted Māori tukutuku panels which are now proudly displayed in Plunket’s newly opened Rotorua community hub on Pukuatua Street.
Mere Harper and Ria Tikini Memorial Scholarship open for applications
14 February 2024
Mā te huruhuru, ka rere te manu.
We are proud to again join with Ngāi Tahu in supporting the future nursing workforce to thrive.
Whānau Āwhina Plunket opens new community hub in Rotorua
31 January 2024
Whānau Āwhina Plunket has today opened a new whānau-friendly one-stop shop community hub in Rotorua made possible by generous support from organisations and fundraising efforts from locals.
Plunket staff and Trustees including Board Chairperson Dame Fran Wilde gathered alongside building partner Generation Homes and dignitaries from local iwi for a dawn karakia led by Dr Anaha Hiini from Ngāti Whakaue to officially open the facility at 1436 Pukuatua Street.
Celebrating 52 years of service
26 January 2024
Long-time volunteer Mary Hall was celebrated at the Sandringham Plunket Clinic for an incredible 52 years of service to Whānau Āwhina Plunket.
Community Services Manager Clare Green thanked Mary for her loyalty and dedication to Plunket.
“Mary has helped many whānau to keep their children and babies safe and well over the years. She’s an inspiration to us all and we are very lucky to have her,” she says.
High temperatures prompt need for extra precaution this summer
26 January 2024
Whānau Āwhina Plunket is urging parents and caregivers to take extra care with pēpi and tamariki in the heat, as scorching temperatures are recorded across the country this summer.
Chief Nurse Dr Zoe Tipa says pēpi and tamariki get hotter a lot faster than adults. In high temperatures like we’ve been experiencing, they can rapidly lose body fluids through sweating, which can lead to dehydration. This is especially dangerous for small children.
Whānau Āwhina Plunket expands services at Meadowbank Family Centre
11 January 2024
An expansion of services offered at Whānau Āwhina Plunket’s Meadowbank Family Centre has been warmly welcomed by the community.
Well Child Tamariki Ora and Lactation Consultant appointments have increased from one to two days per week and a drop-in clinic is available weekly. A weekly coffee group, a B4 School Check clinic every second Monday and a monthly first aid course are currently running too.
