Whānau āwhina whānau ora

Mā te mahi ngātahi e pūāwai ai ā tātou tamariki
Together the best start for every child

Plunket actively supports whānau Māori to achieve and maintain their maximum health and wellbeing. We do this by providing a quality health service, and by working closely with others in the health sector.

There are thousands of people across Aotearoa working to deliver this on Plunket’s behalf. But what does this mean for Māori?

Nationally Plunket provides:

• Well Child services to more than 90% of all new babies in New Zealand. Of those families, around 22% identify as Māori. Approximately 80% of all Māori new born babies are signed up with Plunket.
• PlunketLine 0800 933 922 is a free 24/7 telephone service for all families in New Zealand, whānau and caregivers. PlunketLine nurses fluent in Te Reo are available for those wishing to speak Māori.
• More than 400 entities delivering a variety of services including car seat rental schemes, toy libraries, playgroups, Parents as First Teachers and PEPE Parenting education, and education courses in schools.
• Post Graduate Certificate Well Child/Tamariki Ora training, Professional Development for iwi/Māori provider nurses, and the National Certificate in Tamariki Ora

In 2007, Plunket launched the Whānau Āwhina Whānau Ora policy to provide a 10 year strategic direction to ensure Plunket is reaching Māori communities and families to effect the best possible start for every child.

In the context of the policy, whānau ora is defined as whānau Māori actively supported to achieve their maximum health and wellbeing.