It all started on a Monday morning. The cereal was gone (again), one kid was crying because her favourite hoodie was “missing” (on the back of the couch,…
Let’s be honest: New Zealand is already ridiculously good-looking. But when winter hits the South Island? It’s like someone threw a snow-dusted Instagram filter over the entire landscape.…
You know how some things just hit different in your own language? That’s because language isn’t just words—it’s your history, your vibe, your entire worldview wrapped up in…
If you’ve ever tried to comfort your child during a meltdown or a moment of self-doubt, you’ve probably said this phrase.It seems harmless—kind, even. We say it because…
Let’s be honest: life’s chaotic. Between endless screens, non-stop notifications, and schedules that make us feel like unpaid Uber drivers, finding a moment of family zen seems as…
The capstone paper is the culmination of a student’s academic career, including the information and skills they have acquired during their education. It helps students to exhibit their…
It was one of those chaotic mornings every parent knows too well. My five-year-old, dressed in her mismatched superhero outfit, was attempting to use glitter glue to “fix”…
As a parent, I know firsthand the challenges that come with a teething baby. The sleepless nights, the constant fussing, and the overwhelming desire to do anything to…
As a mother of two energetic girls, now aged 5 and 9, I vividly remember the day I decided it was time to introduce them to chores. Picture…
Let’s be honest: getting kids to help around the house can sometimes feel like trying to herd cats. You know they can do it; you’ve seen them organize…
Homeschooling can feel like an uphill battle some days, especially when it comes to keeping your child motivated to complete schoolwork. Imagine the time your little one hid…
We’ve all been there—those in-between moments when the lesson ends early, energy levels drop, or your students just need a quick reset. You need something fast, fun, and…
Just the other evening, I found myself in the middle of yet another classic showdown between my two teenage daughters, Lucy and Hannah. Lucy, who’s sixteen, had borrowed…
Bullying remains a significant issue in New Zealand, affecting the lives of many children and their families. With the rise of digital technology, the scope and impact of…
Potty training a non-verbal toddler can be a unique challenge, but with the right strategies and understanding, it can also be a rewarding journey. Non-verbal communication doesn’t mean…
Okay, confession time: Sometimes I feel a major wave of mum-guilt when I am working from home and my kids are parked in front of the telly or…
Remember that time the Starship Foundation had those adorable doggos collecting donations on Auckland streets? They raised a stack of cash while spreading good vibes! Creative fundraising like…
Easter is a time of vibrant colours, new beginnings, and of course, plenty of chocolate! It’s also a brilliant opportunity to get those creative juices flowing. Drawing is…
Living while teaching in Taiwan could be the ultimate adventure for parents who are considering relocating overseas. Known for its fascinating culture and stunning scenery, this Southeast Asian…
New Zealand is home to some of the best family road trips in the world. New Zealand is a touring country with destinations around every bend. We know…
Have you been wondering how you can celebrate Matariki the Māori New Year at your place. Here’s 5 fresh ways to celebrate Matariki with your family.
Aotearoa-New Zealand has hundreds of walks and hikes for all members of the whānau, no matter how old they are. For young families easing into the hobby of…
Aotearoa New Zealand has some world class overnight hikes for families, no matter how old your kids are. For young families, easing into the hobby of family tramping,…
Luckily for families in Auckland, Tāmaki Makaurau is packed with awesome outdoor adventures and some of the best day walks that are perfect for children and friendly on…
New Zealand has some amazing parenting experts, and some equally amazing writers. This combo makes for some really great family magazines. Check out our list of the 9…
Petplan in the UK tell us about the amazing research they conducted using Artificial Intelligence, or AI. They’ve scoured the web and social for pictures of owners and…
Dads have a special and important role in their children’s lives. We’ve compiled over 90 tips and ideas to help Dads show up, and be the Dads their…
After numerous, and sometimes disastrous, attempts at finding a consistent ad partner for our blog, we finally found Nirvana with Monumetric – probably the best ad network for…
‘Mum’. The small word carries a big meaning for most of us. That meaning partly depends on how we feel about our own mothers and grandmothers and also…
Let’s face it. Power bills are typically the biggest ones that New Zealand families face each month. Household energy costs tend to climb highest during the winter, but…
If there’s one thing we’ve learned last year, it’s that digital devices are key to ensuring learning continues in spite of lockdowns and disruptions.
Just click on the image below to download and print out the image. Select File > Print, or right-click (control-click on a Mac) > select print, or just…
Just click on the image below to download and print out the image. Select File > Print, or right-click (control-click on a Mac) > select print, or just…
If you are looking for a special toy this school holidays look no further than Sparkle Girlz! Brought to you by Zuru Toys, the company behind Bunch O…
Just click on the image below to download and print out the image. Select File > Print, or right-click (control-click on a Mac) > select print, or just…
Remember your first period? If your answer is “barely, but I do recall crying in the school bathroom and stuffing toilet paper in my pants,” you’re not alone.…
Schools tend to host a cocktail of disease, infection and fungal spores, just waiting to infect your child! A mixture of developing immune systems, close contact and low…
It can be scary for some parents when their teen decides to go vegan. For many parents a vegan diet is quite foreign, and lots of parents worry…
The COVID-19 pandemic is the greatest public health threat that people around the world are facing right now. It calls for decisive, actionable plans on a broad scale…
A rip is a narrow body of water moving out to sea like a river. These currents are caused by complex interactions between the ocean – such as…
In the new world of navigating COVID-19, we’ve seen a surge in online healthcare and it’s certainly been welcomed by many. Kiwis across the country can see the…
Nowadays, turning 50 is not anymore considered as an “over the hill” cliche it used to be. Although it’s still an important milestone in a person’s life, there…
Looking for ideas to keep the kids entertained and occupied? HP New Zealand has launched Print, Play and Learn, a free online resource to support families across New…
When it comes to education, especially the early years of your child’s education, quality is key; it’s what helps set the path for your child and develop their…
ASICS has launched a unique new program designed to engage and encourage children through their athletic journey.
At this time of year, we’re all looking forward to some time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, to relax and re-charge and enjoy the…
We just love Easter at Kiwi Families HQ. We like to include a bunch of activities, and story-telling, in the lead up to Easter weekend. And we try to make it…
Here is a really cool project you can do with your kids. The inspiration for this project comes from all the beautiful woven wall hangings you see around…
Can you imagine, in this day and age, a kid at school getting bullied because they were blind, or deaf. Surely not right? What about a kid getting…
In response to a reader comment on our Nightmares and night terrors article, Kiwi Families reached out to our Facebook community for advice. As always, we got some amazing…
We know that all Dad really wants for Father’s Day, is a lie in with a newspaper and a cuppa. It’s always nice to get Dad a little…
With real estate prices absolutely soaring, and the average house price crashing through the $600k mark, the dream of our kids one day owning their own homes is…
We were lucky enough to get some time with Dorothy Waide, sleep consultant to the stars, AKA the Baby Whisperer. Dorothy provides newborn advice for parents on everything from…
Most people who know me will know that I’m crazy-addicted to the TV show Vikings. It’s not for the faint-hearted, and definitely worthy of it’s R18 rating. But it’s…
I’ve been meaning to make a DIY blackboard cloud and lightening bolt for a kid’s room for months now. I finally found the time to make this project happen.
In response to a reader comment on our What is eczema article, Kiwi Families reached out to our wonderful Facebook community for advice. We had such a great…
I’m sure you’ve heard of the Netflix show 13 Reasons Why at this point, so I won’t get into details of the show’s content. The show certainly has…
There are so many things you can do with empty toilet rolls and paper towel rolls, it’s just a case of choosing something that your kids will find…
Why is it after a few weeks into the school term the kid’s lunch boxes seem to end up the same every day? If you’re looking to add…
Traveling in the car can sometimes be a nightmare with children. The all too famous line of ‘are we there yet?’ playing over and over like a broken record……
If you know me, then you’ll know that I am a huge fan of epsom salts! The addition of epsom salts to a bath creates a really luxurious,…
Does the government owe you $479? We know you love paying taxes about as much as changing your 2 year old’s diaper, after a massive poonami! Or, about…
We all know planning a holiday for the family can be stressful and often pricey. Thankfully there are several ways to save some cash, from scoring cheap flights…
We love nothing better than a good old family road trip. Getting out on the road with a purpose makes the experience even better. Especially if we can make…
In this article you’re going to find out exactly how we used online tools to save $57,653. I’ve worked in the consumer information industry for more than 15…
We love heading away on summer holidays, and this year we’ve been blessed with my Husbands’ parents buying a classic 1950’s batch in Opunaki. If you haven’t heard…
I’ll remember this conversation for the rest of my life. Some conversations are just like that. It was exactly a week after I made the brave decision to…
Looking for the right lunch box to suit your family’s needs can be somewhat of a mammoth task. So here at Kiwi Families we’ve made the job a…
Once your child reaches school age there’s a few things they can be doing for themselves. Preparing your child for school early on will help the transition from…
Click the image below to view the 2020 Kiwi Families Gift Guide
It can be hard to think of gifts for the whole family at Christmas time. The great thing about printed books is that they’re well-priced gifts, they’re always…
Hey dads, you make a big difference! By teaching your sons how to respect women you prevent violence. Simple.
We took the Nestlé Choose Wellness quiz and were a bit shocked at the results. I thought we lived pretty well. But what we’re discovering is that living…
Like most families, we’re always in search of health and wellness for ourselves and our children. Sometimes it feels like we’re searching for the holy grail though; we’re…
With the Hi-5 House Hits tour just about to hit New Zealand shores, we wanted to find out something about Hi-5 we didn’t already know.
We’ve rounded up an eclectic mix of 2022 Father’s Day gift ideas. We’ve selected gifts at a few different price points, so there should be something for everyone on the…
There’s some absolute truth about fatherhood in the modern age that I’ve discovered. In fact, there are 12 actual truths. Share them with every Dad you know.
There’s only one thing I ever ask for on Father’s Day. It’s the same thing every year. Breakfast in bed, with a coffee and a newspaper. Ahhh, the…
Going on a holiday or weekend getaway with the family is a great way to escape from your day to day routine, create long lasting memories and spend quality…
I love wall hangings so decided since Matariki is just around the corner I would create a star wall hanging with little miss 3. I love creating with…
Matariki is a great time of year to celebrate and learn more about Maori culture. One way we’re doing this in our family is through story books. My…
African savannah Home to giraffe, zebra, ostrich, meerkats, leopard tortoises and African masked lovebirds, the new African savannah brings Auckland Zoo visitors closer than ever to wildlife, in an…
The Kiwi Families team got the opportunity to interview Mister Maker for his upcoming tour. Read on to find out what he’s looking forward to when he gets…
It’s well known that getting children immunised helps protect them from some serious diseases. What is less well known is that women can get immunised during pregnancy for…
When most people hear the word “gamer”, they usually add the prefix “video” subconsciously. But, while digital games have slowly become accepted as part of mainstream entertainment, the…
Our feature at the moment is New Beginnings and over the last couple of months, we’ve heard HEAPS of amazing stories about people who have had all kinds…
In our series on Great Kiwi Families we get to meet kiwis (new and old!) who are doing cool things. Jackie Kulak is a new-to-New Zealand mum with…
Hi guys! We’re really excited that you’re coming to New Zealand. My kids love to sing and dance along to your songs.
Join Snowplanet in kick starting the ho-ho-ho holiday season by welcoming Santa to Snowplanet on November 21st! They have created a fantastic and magical winter wonderland where Santa…
One of the things we love about our series on Great Kiwi Families is the way that we get to meet so many people who are following their…
As part of our ongoing Side Hustle Series, we meet Grace Xue – founder of Lighthouse At-Home Childcare. Partly in response to the needs of her own child,…
Kids’ activities can be a pretty big part of some families’ lives. And they can have an impact on the whole family – not just the children. This…
Father’s Day always brings a smile to my face – and a little bit of happy chaos too! Last year, my two decided to surprise Dad with a…
The Spirit of Adventure Trust provides one of the best and most unique youth development programmes in New Zealand.
Te Reo Māori is one of New Zealand’s three official languages (the other is New Zealand Sign Language) and Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori is a great opportunity to…
Good news, kiwi families! Visits to your family doctor will soon be free for children under 13. From 1 July 1 2015, all children under 13 are eligible for…
Last updated: 10 June 2026 The quick version Matariki 2026 is on Friday July 10th. Most schools and whānau celebrate the week before and after. The simplest crafts…
You might have heard of the ‘heel prick’ test – also known as a ‘Guthrie’, ‘PKU’ or newborn metabolic test – where a small blood sample is taken…
Chrysalis Early Learning Centre is a ground breaking, unique concept in early childcare education, designed and developed by owners – husband and wife team, Dr Darius and Nikeeta…
Babies and children can catch diseases at any time. Immunisation is your child’s best protection against many serious but preventable diseases like whooping cough. This disease is still…