Supporting Parents Across New Zealand

Parents Centre New Zealand Supporting Parents Across New Zealand

15 June 2018

“At Parents Centre New Zealand Inc, we believe that parenting is everything. Our philosophy embraces working with parents to equip them with the knowledge, skills and support so they can be the best parents they can possibly be.” Says Heather Hayden, Parents Centres Chief Executive.

All new parents are vulnerable, the knowledge and support they get from Parents Centre and its volunteers is invaluable. Parents Centres New Zealand are the primary provider of Pregnancy, Childbirth and Parent education in New Zealand. They’ve been advocating for parents since 1952.

“Parents Centre classes only use Diploma qualified Childbirth Educators to facilitate our programmes. You can be confident that you will not only receive evidence based, up to date information, but the facilitator also has adult teaching skills to ensure that the classes are interactive and engaging. We aim to foster friendships and support amongst new parents, which we’ve been told is a life-line for them.” Said Liz Pearce, Parent Education Manager at Parents Centres New Zealand.

The much-anticipated arrival of Jacinda Ardern and Clarke Gayford’s baby due soon, coincides with Parents Centre week commencing Monday 18th June. It’s an opportunity to celebrate Parents Centres achievements to date and to reflect and focus on the ongoing support that Parents Centres continue to provide to families across New Zealand.

Parents Centres have achieved many milestones which are now part of everyday childbirth and raising a family in New Zealand. These include:
• Advocating for mother’s maternity needs, including informed consent to obstetric procedures such as anaesthetisation;
• Fathers and partners / whānau present at the birth;
• Initiation of antenatal education classes in New Zealand;
• Successful lobbying for open visiting hours and parents-stay for children in hospital;
• Ongoing development of Parent Education programmes;
• Lobbying for and supporting legislative changes that protect the rights of children at all times;
• Promoting flexible working conditions for parents.

A recent attendee of Parents Centres antenatal programme found “the knowledge gained from attending a Parents Centre antenatal programme before having my first born helped prepare me for what to expect in the delivery room and those early days at home. It was reassuring having the support network of other parents with babies the same age to talk and share advice with, especially in the early months.”

We have a network of 46 community-based Centres run by over 1,000 passionate volunteers and over 85 professional qualified Childbirth educators, our membership exceeds 15,000 families. Find out more at www.parentscentre.org.nz

Parents Centres, in your community for your community.
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