Littlies launches online giving more families access to parenting tools
Littlies, New Zealand’s largest monthly parenting magazine which is distributed for free to more than 73,000 families
nationwide, has taken another step forward with the launch of its website this month.
The site, created as a one-stop-parenting-shop, provides relevant and real-time useful information to help meet the
parenting needs of the different stages of a child’s development.
With more than 56,000 babies born each year in New Zealand, Littlies founding director, Lesley Williamson, says the
website was a natural progression and fills another niche in the parenting landscape.
“We believe parents and caregivers should be able to access quality, practical parenting information for free, and
that’s exactly what Littlies was set up to provide,” Lesley Williamson said. “Our magazine has really taken off since
its launch in June 2003, but now we have a huge waiting list of people wanting to receive it. Providing a service online
is one way we can help meet these needs.”
“We couldn’t find a central website offering a range of parenting information targeted specifically for the New Zealand
market. Even though Littlies Magazine delivers quality parenting information each month, our readers were crying out for
something to fill the void between.”
“As any parent or caregiver knows, raising small children can be a busy role, especially when their needs change almost
daily. Being able to access only the most relevant and topical information and advice, in as short as time as possible,
is really important to today’s parent – and that’s exactly what Littlies website delivers,” Lesley Williamson said.
With easy navigation systems and in-depth coverage of a full range of useful parenting topics, it also offers people the
chance to participate and contribute. This includes an events calendar which lists only family-orientated activities in
every different region of New Zealand. Visitors to the site can submit their own local events like a school fair, gala
or fundraising event.
There is also a full support directory listing all major family and children support services in New Zealand in one
convenient location – so no more searching from one site to another. Also unique to the site is a product directory, a
convenient time saving device allowing parents or parents-to-be, the ability to compare products before heading out to
the shops.
The website is proving just as popular with Littlies advertisers. With some having to wait more than two months to get
an ad into the magazine because of heavy demand, the numerous opportunities on the website are being snapped up.
“The most exciting aspect is that the website is constantly evolving and we are already working on the next stage of
development. Based on the feedback to date, parents are really responding which proves there really is a need for a
centralised parenting tool that is available day and night,“ Lesley Williamson said.