15 June 2026
Aino is the newest volunteer at Rotorua Plunket. After experiencing how isolating moving internationally could be, she connected with Plunket and helped offer "Chinese Mummy Day" to the local Asian community.
"As a Chinese mother and a new migrant living in Rotorua, I understand how overwhelming and lonely it can feel when starting a new life in another country," she says.
"My goal was to create a welcoming space where Chinese mothers could meet each other, build friendships, and learn more about the support available through Plunket, including parenting advice, child development support, and the free 24-hour PlunketLine. I wanted families to feel more confident, connected, and supported in their parenting journey in New Zealand."
Aino is studying for a master’s in teaching, with a focus on early childhood education. She values volunteering for the opportunity to build social connections, as well as gain experience in her field.
Volunteering is meaningful because it allows me to support people who may need information, encouragement, or simply a friendly conversation. At the same time, I learn a great deal from other parents and whānau.
"Volunteering is meaningful because it allows me to support people who may need information, encouragement, or simply a friendly conversation. At the same time, I learn a great deal from other parents and whānau," she says.
"I hope to encourage more volunteers to become involved. For students, especially those studying early childhood education, volunteering is a wonderful way to connect with the local community and gain valuable experience."
Aino hopes this is just the beginning of more opportunities to support whānau and build community.
"At Chinese Mummy Day, one of the mothers commented that New Zealand provides such strong support for families that raising children feels much less stressful than she had expected. They were impressed by the level of support available, and one even joked that she was starting to think about having another baby!" she laughs.
"It was a light-hearted moment, but it also reminded me why community events like this matter. Sometimes simply sharing information can help families feel more confident, supported, and connected to the community around them."
From right: Aino, Amiria (kaimahi), and participants at Chinese Mummy Day in Rotorua
