Latest news

Top tips for moving on from nappies

Last night we had our first Facebook chat of the year, answering your questions about moving on from nappies. Following on from this we thought it would be good to share with you our top toilet training tips!
1. Watch for signs that your child is ready and let them lead the pace.

Plunket’s top tips for keeping kids safe this summer

Summer is all about fun, family, friends and this year, wind, torrential rain and sun! It’s also a time when sunburn and accidents are all too common. The top tips below have been put together to assist you keep your children safe while you’re making the most of the remaining summer months. Sometimes we forget that babies and young children have little understanding of the risks associated with their actions –their brains just don’t get it yet! It’s up to the adults to support, guide and be ready to protect when needed.

Boost for nursing leadership as Plunket appoints first Chief Nurse

Plunket has appointed Jane O’Malley as its first Chief Nurse, a key appointment to support progress towards delivery of its new strategy and strengthen its focus on nursing leadership. Jane O’Malley will join the Plunket leadership team from her current role as Chief Nursing Officer for the Ministry of Health. “We are delighted to have someone of Jane’s calibre join our team at this important stage of Plunket’s journey.

Plunket welcomes Government investment in reducing child poverty

Plunket welcomes the Government’s Families Package as a positive step towards reducing child poverty and giving the welfare of New Zealand tamariki the priority it deserves. “It is encouraging to see that the Government is taking action in its first 100 days to help make the difference of a lifetime in our tamariki’s first 1000 days,” said Plunket’s Chief Strategy and Performance Officer, Radha Balakrishnan. Plunket nurses see 9 in 10 babies born in New Zealand, and sees first-hand the impact of poverty and poor housing on young families, with more and more whānau struggling to make ends meet: “The results are poor child health, stressed families and poorer outcomes for children – especially for our Māori and Pacific communities who bear the brunt of this burden on our children,” said Radha Balakrishnan.

Over 1000 Plunket volunteers help make the difference of a lifetime in the first 1000 days

Plunket is paying tribute to over 1000 volunteers in communities across New Zealand on International Volunteer Day. International Volunteer Day is an annual United Nations-led initiative that recognises the contribution volunteers make in our communities both locally and globally. This year the theme is 'Volunteers Act First.

Immunisation the best protection against whooping cough

Plunket is encouraging mums, pregnant women and those trying to get pregnant to check they are immunised from whooping cough, to protect themselves and their children. The Ministry of Heath today declared a national outbreak of whooping cough, as a total of 1,315 cases have been reported since the beginning of 2017. “Immunisation is a free, proven way that parents can protect their children against serious diseases, including whooping cough.

Plunket encourages whānau to make every day a safe sleep day

Plunket is proud to support the national Safe Sleep initiative for whānau this Safe Sleep Day, 1 December. Plunket’s National Advisor for Māori Health, Zoe Tipa, says Safe Sleep Day is a national campaign focused on promoting safe sleep practices for babies, so that every sleep is a safe sleep. “Every year in New Zealand, more than 40 babies die from Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI – which includes SIDS or cot death) and it is preventable.

Plunket celebrates Parliament passing extended paid parental leave

Plunket is celebrating the extension to paid parental leave today as ‘an important investment in families and the future of New Zealand’. The Bill passed its third reading today, and the new law will extend parental leave from 18 weeks to 22 weeks from 1 July 2018, and to 26 weeks from 1 July 2020. “Today’s extension to paid parental leave is a step forward to be celebrated.

Our take on tongue-tie surgery

You might have read news reports today about an increase in the number of children having tongue-tie surgery. Plunket takes the same perspective as La Leche League and the College of Midwives – mums getting an assessment from a trained professional to determine the cause of breastfeeding issues is key. It’s important to avoid unnecessary surgery, for the child and also for the mum – it is important that the correct cause of breastfeeding issues is addressed and the mum isgetting the support she needs to breastfeed.

Looking back one year on from the Kaikoura earthquake

It’s been a year since the Kaikoura earthquake of 14 November 2016 – a natural disaster that had a great effect on many lives. One year on and Plunket would like to recognise the amazing work Community Service Coordinator Marz Simpson did in response to the aftermath of the quake. After the earthquake, Marz was instrumental in providing support to local whānau.