Renee's story

11 November 2025

When first-time mum and new business owner Renee walked into Queenstown Plunket with her son, she was feeling overwhelmed. Renee had been juggling the demands of early motherhood while launching a new business with her husband.

“I was feeling overwhelmed and knew that Plunket was a supportive place that I could go and possibly have a chat to someone whilst my son played safely,” Renee shares. “Walking in I felt I was in a safe space where I could be honest about my ‘mum experience’ that I was having—emotions and all!”

Her visit started as a quiet moment to regroup, and then it turned into something more. The Plunket team began chatting with Renee, and before long, she opened up.

“They started talking to me and my stresses came up. I felt so supported, they told me about Friday playgroup and when I came back for that, they asked me how I was feeling that day in terms of the business, and the big decisions we needed to make. They remembered!”

Since then, Renee and her son have become regulars at the playgroup.

“Plunket Queenstown is always a judgement-free environment that makes everyone feel welcome. Our Plunket appointments have also been helpful for us to ensure my son is developing well and to help with any other questions we might have, whether it is what he should be eating, when we should start swimming lessons, or simply a space to go to during the day when we are in town and need a change or to nurse or to play.”

As a first-time mum living far from extended family, Renee says the value of a support network like this can’t be overstated.

“You cannot put a value on support like this. There is a lot for us mums to juggle, especially as a first-time mum running a business, with family in another country, it is invaluable to have a place that you can call on any time of day (and night) when you are in the thick of things and need some support.”