Parenting resources, courses and support

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:

• Five steps to positive parenting(external link)
• Which Triple P is right for me?(external link)

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, US, 2019)

How to talk with kids about gratitude

(Greater Good Science Center, US, 2019)

How kids’ generosity can grow in small moments

(Greater Good Science Center, US, 2019)

How your conversations can help kids discover their purpose

(Greater Good Science Center, US, 2020)

How to nurture stick-to-itiveness in kids

(Greater Good Science Center, US, 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.

(Ministry of Health, NZ, 2015)

Your child – the first 6 weeks

In this video, we meet Monique and Paulo and their 6-week-old baby, Peyton.

• Hear Monique's advice about looking after yourself after baby is born and how your whānau and partner can support you.
• A Well Child Tamariki Ora nurse describes what happens during her visits to mum and baby.
• We see how Peyton is kept safe during sleep.
• Monique talks about breastfeeding and how breast milk is perfect for Peyton. 

(Ministry of Health, NZ, 2015)

Your child – 6 weeks to 6 months

Watch this video to find out about caring for your baby from 6 weeks to 6 months of age. We meet Sylvia, who is 4 months old, and her mum, Emily. We also hear from Erika, a Well Child Tamariki Ora nurse.

• Find out how Emily and Daniel (Sylvia's dad) are getting to know Sylvia - and who Sylvia laughed with first.
• Discover more about Sylvia's teething.
• Emily talks about how important breastfeeding is, and how easy breastfeeding makes getting out and about with Sylvia.
• See how Sylvia is kept safe during sleep.

(Ministry of Health, NZ, 2015)

Your child – 6 months to 1 year

In this video, we meet Frances and Wikeepa and their 11-month-old baby, Waireti.

• Hear how being a father has changed Wikeepa.
• Erika, a Well Child Tamariki Ora nurse talks about how you can help your baby to learn and develop.
• Frances talks about how they look after Waireti's teeth.
• See how Frances and Wikeepa keep Waireti safe at home and in bed.

(Ministry of Health, NZ, 2015)

Your child – 1 to 2 years

In this video, we we meet Amiria and Watene and their 2 children, Tawhai and Kahukura. Tawhai is 15 months old. Watch as Erika, the Well Child Tamariki Ora nurse, visits for Tawhai's 15-month-old check. Find out about safety in the home and how you can help your child learn and develop.

(Ministry of Health, NZ, 2015)

Your child – 2 to 3 years

In this video, we meet Kanae and Steve and their 2 children, Kaila and Hugo. Kaila is 2 years old. Find out what Kanae and Steve enjoy most about being parents and their hopes for their children.

(Ministry of Health, NZ, 2015)

Your child – 3 to 5 years

In this video, we meet Ria and Barry and their two children, Ocean and Kārearea. Ocean is 3 and Kārearea is 4. Find out how Ria and Barry care for their children and keep them healthy and safe. Erika, a Well Child Tamariki Ora nurse, also has advice on the best things you can do to help your child learn and develop.

(Ministry Health, NZ, 2015)

For more videos of the same series, visit Ministry of Health NZ(external link)