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Parenting resources, courses and support

Key points about parenting course and resources

Being a parent is one of the most important and challenging things you can do.
Helping guide your children to become healthy, happy, responsible and caring adults takes effort and focus.
There will be times where you need support. When you do try these resources, courses and links to support parents throughout the different stages of your child's growth.

Triple P(external link)
The Parenting and Family Support Centre, based in NZ and Australia

Triple P helps you manage your child's behaviour, emotions and development in a way that isn't hurtful. You will build strong relationships, communicate well and encourage the kind of behaviour you want to see. Find out more:

Find a Triple P practitioner near you(external link)

Find out more about Triple P, read the latest Triple P magazine, look at blog posts, sign up for Triple P Online and search for discussion groups and Triple P providers in your area on the Triple P national website.(external link)

Triple P online parenting programme for toddlers to tweens (0 to 12-year-olds)

Encourage good behaviour
Manage misbehaviour
Settle tantrums
Tackle disobedience
Teach your child new skills
Take the stress out of shopping

Sign up for Triple P Online and get 12 months’ unlimited access to all the proven tips, strategies and knowledge of the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program®. Eight modules.

Visit the website for more details(external link).

Triple P online parenting programme for pre-teens and teens (10–18 year olds)

Build a stronger relationship
Negotiate boundaries and expectations
Deal calmly with conflict
Survive the emotional roller coaster
Prepare for risky situations
Equip them to handle life’s problems

Visit the website for course costs and more details.(external link)

Kiwi Families – for passionate parents(external link)

Comprehensive practical parenting advice for New Zealand parents. You can find everything you need to know about raising children from conception until they leave home.

Parent Help NZ(external link)

A Wellington-based organisation that caters for all parenting issues from the smallest problem to the most serious issue of child abuse.

Helpline(external link) 0800 568 856 9am–11pm every day
Counselling(external link) and family therapy (Wellington area) information and resources
Parent education and 8-week programme for parents of teens(external link) Helping parents of teenagers to positively prepare and guide your child to independence

Ministry of Social Development – positive parenting(external link)

Links to a variety of resources and websites to help parents increase your children's ability to live successfully in the world around them.

Tākai(external link) (previously called SKIP)

Tākai is a village of whānau supporters who work together to wrap around whānau, communities and our littlest tamariki under-five.

Parenting Place NZ(external link)

Parenting Place walks alongside you and your whānau from the moment your little one is born until they raise tamariki of their own. Whether you have a newborn, a teenager, a troupe of grandkids, or nieces and nephews, they have a range of programmes, courses, camps and resources tailored for you and your whānau.

Next Chapter Parenting NZ(external link)

Next Chapter Parenting delivers one to one, or group parenting sessions, via zoom.

More useful resources for parents

Parenting resources by age and stage(external link)
Ministry for Children, NZ

The Parenting Resource was developed to support whānau workers delivering home visiting programmes. The Parenting Resource contains child development and parenting information appropriate through pregnancy and the first 36 months of a child’s life.

Weekly goals and routines for tweens(external link)
All Right, NZ

Having a predictable routine can help both younger and older children feel secure and happy. Routine charts are also a great way to help our kids take responsibility for parts of their day, and feel good about it!

My Family Activities – fun ideas to keep your family active(external link)
Health Promotion Agency

Inspiring families to be active together and enjoy fun, free or low-cost activities in their community.

All Right? Parenting Guides(external link)

A series of great guides to help normalise conversations around wellbeing and mental health.

Parenting Guidelines for Adolescent Alcohol Use(external link)

Parenting Strategies

Books about feelings for children

Reading books together about feelings is a great way to start a conversation – we’ve picked a few of our favourites to share with you.

Children's voices – what matters to kids?

SKIP talked to young children aged 3-7 years from a range of backgrounds and cultures about how they like to be treated. Their words provide insights into what really matters in a positive nurturing parent-child relationship.

(S.K.I.P, NZ, 2015)

Children's voices – SKIP

SKIP is a government funded initiative that supports parents and whānau to guide their children's behaviour. The SKIP team asked some young children what they thought about some important topics.

(S.K.I.P, NZ, 2015)

Pacific children's voices

Interviews with children from a variety of Pacific backgrounds - Tonga, Niue, Cook Island Māori, Tokelau, Kiribati, Fiji and Samoa, illustrate the richness and diversity of Pacific families. Their words have inspired parents to think about what really matters.

(S.K.I.P, NZ, 2015)

Introducing Greater Good parenting videos – Raising caring, courageous kids

(Greater Good Science Center, USA, 2019)

How to talk with kids about gratitude

(Greater Good Science Center, USA, 2019)

How kids’ generosity can grow in small moments

(Greater Good Science Center, USA, 2019)

How your conversations can help kids discover their purpose

(Greater Good Science Center, USA, 2020)

How to nurture stick-to-itiveness in kids

(Greater Good Science Center, USA, 2019)

For more videos in the same series, visit Parenting videos(external link) Greater Good Magazine.

Your child – the first 5 years

In these videos, whānau share their stories about the rewards and challenges of being parents. We also hear how the Well Child Tamariki Ora nurses give them support and advice. Find out what advice our whānau have for you.