Social Groups for Parents in New Zealand

Babies don’t come with an instruction manual but, if they did, the first step would most likely be to find a community. As the traditional African proverb goes, it takes a village to raise a child.

• Most Well Child Tamariki Ora providers, such as Plunket, organise parent groups in their local areas so you can connect with other parents in your community.
• Join your local area’s Facebook group to discover playgroups, mothers’ groups, coffee groups, young mums’ groups, dads’ groups, single parents’ groups and walking groups near where you live.
• Take part in baby classes such as Baby Sensory, Jumping Beans, SPACE, parent and baby movie sessions, and parent and baby fitness classes to get social with other parents.
• Attend the free Wriggle and Rhyme sessions at your local library each week. This is a 30-minute music and movement class especially for caregivers with babies and toddlers aged two years and under.