Parkinsons New Zealand provides information, education and support to people with Parkinsons, their families, friends as well as health professionals.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association deals with a wide variety of disorders which affect muscles, nerves which control muscles and the interactions between the two. Neuromuscular conditions can strike…
Kidney Kids is a parent-driven non-for-profit organisation set up to meet the needs of parents of children with kidney disease or an abnormality of the urinary tract system.
The Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Association is an Incorporated Society providing membership for regional groups, businesses and individuals who wish to work together in support of people with CF…
“Hepatitis” means “inflammation of the liver”. Chronic (long-term) inflammation of the liver can result in liver damage or failure if left untreated. Liver damage can be caused by…
12 babies a week are born in New Zealand with a congenital heart defect – that’s one in every 100 births. A Childhood or Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) is the most…
Crohn’s and Colitis New Zealand , formerly known as the Crohn’s and Colitis Support Group, was set up in 1987 by a group of people with inflammatory bowel…
The Cancer Society of New Zealand was formed in 1929 as the New Zealand Branch of the British Empire Cancer Campaign. In 1963 it became The Cancer Society…
The Bone Marrow Cancer Trust Inc. is a Charitable Trust established in 1991 as the South Island Bone Marrow Transplant Trust Inc. Its aim was to raise funds…
The Beckwith Wiedemann Children’s Association provides support for families affected by Beckwith Wiedemann Syndrome. Read more about the association here.
Allergy New Zealand is a not-for-profit organisation that works to improve the quality of life for people with allergies, and their families. They offer support, education and information,…
Each year many thousands of children and young people in New Zealand are significantly affected by traumatic change, loss or grief. These young people are not sick. They…
Despite the name, Miscarriage Support Auckland is not only for Aucklanders.
What is Hospice New Zealand? Hospice New Zealand is the national body which supports and helps its member hospices to care for people who are terminally ill. It…
A guide to the Christchurch Multiple Birth Club, what they do, and how you can access their bereavement support.
The Wise Money Foundation is a community organisation that exists for the purpose of educating people with wise financial principles. The Wise Money Foundation is not just about…
Public Trust is a trustee organisation with a unique mandate to protect the future of New Zealanders. They offer a wide range of legal and financial services, but…
The New Zealand Federation of Family Budgeting Services Inc (NZFFBS) was a collective of community organisations sharing a common code of ethics, philosophy, and commitment to delivering top…
Inland Revenue collects revenue for the government and distributes payments to customers through a number of social support programmes.
There are several different organisations providing Food Banks for impoverished individuals and families in New Zealand. These social service organisations are usually of a christian and/or charitable nature,…
Citizens Advice Bureau is a voluntary organisation which provides free, confidential information and advice to anyone about any query or problem. Citizens Advice Bureaux is staffed by trained…
A Kiwi Families guide to the Prader Willi Syndrome Association. What it does it do, and how you can access its support.
Parent to Parent New Zealand Inc. is a national, not-for-profit organisation set up in 1983 by a small group of parents and professionals who believed in the value…
The Halberg Trust aims to support all children with a disability if they want to be involved in active leisure or recreation of their choice, alongside their peers…
The New Zealand Down Syndrome Association (NZDSA) was formed 30 years ago ‘promote the participation of people with Down syndrome in their community’.
Cleft New Zealand (formerly Cleft Lip & Palate Support Group)is a support group established in 1971 by a group of parents wanting to make it easier for other families…
CCS, or more formally CCS Disability Action, provides support and services for people with disabilities, from the foundation belief that everyone should have equal opportunity in life.
Cloud 9 is a support organisation that works at a national and regional level in New Zealand. The Foundation offers support to parents, carers, families, siblings, and to…
What is the Problem Gambling Foundation? The Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand (PGF) is a national non-profit organisation predominantly funded by the Ministry of Health with funds…
The Gambling Helpline is a national organisation offering ongoing motivational support, referrals and information services for gambling problems. Their services are provided to people who are, or have…
What is the Alcohol Drug Helpline? This helpline is a national telephone service offering up-to-date information about alcohol and other drugs. It is available between 10am & 10pm seven…
Women’s Refuge is an organisation in NZ committed to empowering women, and keeping them and their children safe from domestic violence.
Victim Support is an organisation in NZ dedicated to supporting victims of crime with practical assistance, guidance services and emotional support.
The Salvation Army is a world-wide church and social services organisation. The Salvation Army in NZ provides extensive community services – Family Stores, Food Banks, Accommodation, Welfare, Addictions, Employment…
Sexual Assault Support Agencies work to support individuals and families who have survived sexual assault, rape, and sexual violence.
Shine is a national not-for-profit agency providing a range of specialist services that help victims of domestic abuse and their children to become safe, as well as motivate…
With most households in New Zealand having a mortgage (or an overdraft, hire purchase or credit card), Kiwis tend to take a keen interest in interest rates.
For many of us the current global economic situation is stressful and frightening. Is my job secure? Will my husband or partner lose his job? How will we…
Did you know that shopping for your groceries online can save you money? Many people assume it’s more expensive, but take a fresh look at this grocery shopping…
Hair has an annoying habit of growing relentlessly and costing us lots of money. If you find yourself tearing your hair out over the costs of hair care,…
Most Kiwi households own one or two cars, so car insurance is a regular part of our annual expenditure. Car insurance is a competitive market out there, so…
Could you survive in retirement? Retirement may seem a long way off, but it’s best to consider it sooner rather than later.
Should you bank on an inheritance coming your way and take a relaxed view of future financial planning? Are your parents going to leave you money? Or is…
Are you confused about whether you should join KiwiSaver? Read our concise overview below, and make your decision today.
Each year, Christmas seems to arrive more quickly and with it the cost of yummy food and gifts. Saving for Christmas during the year is a good way…
If you’re looking for a low-risk, interest paid investment as part of your financial portfolio, then this could be an interesting avenue to explore. We overview Bonus Bonds…
For many of us, the hardest part about managing our money is keeping track of all the paperwork that comes with it! If you fall into this camp,…
Debt consolidation is a term we often hear bandied around, but many of us have only a vague understanding of what it means and why you would do…
Many of us are struggling with the weekly cost of groceries, and meat usually forms a significant proportion of the shopping bill. With our very strong farming history,…
What is your greatest asset? Is it your savings, your car, or your house? Actually, your greatest asset is your ability to earn income. We overview Income Protection…
One of the most important things we can do as parents is to teach our children the value of money and how to manage it wisely. An easy…
In these times of strained shopping budgets, many of us are reaching for “house brands” in order to fill up our supermarket trolley at less cost. House brands…
If you are about to take on a mortgage in order to buy a house, or you already have a mortgage and you are wondering about refinancing, then…
As a self-confessed coffee addict, this is a subject close to my heart… how to afford the daily grind?
Sometimes life can get a little stressful – especially in relation to our finances! But don’t worry, there’s a number of services in New Zealand that provide free…
Winter is upon us and everyone’s power bills are skyrocketing. Most of us experience a peak in power expenditure during the months of June, July, August and September,…
Extended warranties on electrical goods can be confusing. You’re about to buy an appliance in NZ, and then the sales person asks if you would like to take…
It’s never too early to start a savings account for your child. In fact some parents even set one up as soon as their child is born.
This weekend when I filled up my car with petrol I set a new family record – this is the first time we have exceeded $100 for a…
We kiwis love our cheese, but just at the moment it feels as if our inalienable cheese rights are being threatened!
I often get asked how many credit cards are ideal. To be honest, this personal finance question is usually asked by people who have a whole purse full…
Unfortunately many people incorrectly use the terms hoarding and cluttering interchangeably. Both terms can be used to describe someone who accumulates things to the point of it becoming…
We love to start with de-cluttering the bathroom. It’s the smallest room in the house, yet one we use every day. Due to it’s function it needs to…
Often referred to as the hub of the home, most kitchens get a good workout every day, especially with growing kids to keep fed and happy. With a…
For most of us, the lounge is where we spend the majority of our relax and play time when we’re at home. Not surprisingly, clutter can build up…
Now that you’ve cracked the bathroom, it’s time to move on to de-cluttering the master bedroom. The master bedroom is all about you. You could even say, ‘you…
Tired of a messy house? Looking for ideas to achieve a clutter free home? We provide a step-by-step approach of practical advice to help you declutter your home. And…
So you’ve decided to de-clutter your home, and now you want to know how to do it. Follow our simple step-by-step process to reduce that clutter now. How to…
Clutter is a major problem for families with children in the house! Find out how to de-clutter your home, save time and reduce stress.
Learning to drive is an exciting part of growing up and it’s a milestone that many parents both look forward to and dread. Being on the road does…
Seeking help to become a better parent? Would you like to become calmer, less guilty, more confident with, and/or more tolerant of your kids? Help yourself and/or your partner with hypnosis…
With more and more first marriages ending in divorce, step parents and blended families are becoming increasingly common. While there are obviously issues which need to be addressed,…
As much as grandparents adore their grandchildren, chances are if you’re raising your grandchild it’s because of circumstances rather than choice. There may have been trauma in the…
If you’re even considering being a foster parent, then that makes you someone special. While fostering can be immensely rewarding, it’s also a lot of hard work. You…
When a new man enters the family, some things – like discipline – get complicated.
What you say can affect your children and your future
One winter night a few years ago, I found myself lying on the bathroom floor, pausing between bouts of vomiting and diarrheoa to listen out for my toddler…
When I was pregnant, I secretly wanted a girl. I’d give people the standard line, “Oh, as long as it’s healthy, I don’t mind,” but inside I figured…
Finding good male role models for children in fatherless homes
Juggling your finances is a big part of being a solo or single parent. We discuss WINZ, benefits, subsidies and budget advice here.
While researching this article, I came across the sobering statement: “Children never really heal from divorce.”
I knew having and raising a baby by myself would be hard. Really hard.
It looks like flossing my teeth has now become a habit. It used to be just a good intention – until I read an article about how much…
When I first became a solo mum, I thought the only way I’d find a man would be if he appeared miraculously between the back door and the…
Every Thursday night for a couple of years, my daughter and I had dinner with a girlfriend and her family. With seven people around the table, it was…
Someone once asked me, “You know those columns you write – do you do everything you write about?” Answer: no. Most times I write about things I’m struggling…
Help and advice from other solo parents can be invaluable.
Whether you are a single parent by choice, or circumstances have chosen for you, there is no denying that parenting alone can be tough. Emotional needs aside, the sheer…
There are two main types of toddler tantrums. Knowing how to handle toddler tantrums will be much easier if you can recognise which type your child is dealing…
Parenting expert Diane Levy writes about Time Out as one of many effective behaviour strategies for disciplining young children, and how to use this behaviour technique effectively to discipline your…
Are you researching discipline methods and techniques to improve your child’s behavior? What about smacking to solve child behaviour problems? Parenting expert Diane Levy writes about smacking, and provides advice…
Parenting expert Diane Levy writes about sibling rivalry and how to control the non-stop squabbling that’s common in so many families.
A little squabbling between siblings — brothers and/or sisters — is, in all but the most extraordinary families, inevitable. We all have “war stories” from growing up.
We get frequent email enquiries from worried parents wondering what the safe legal age is for their child to do certain things in New Zealand.
Are you frustrated at the behaviour of your infant, toddler, young child, pre-teen, tween, or teenager? Are you looking for practical advice and strategies to help you as a…
As we confront the daily challenges of child behaviour, child development, discipline, and raising children, let us calmly pause to remind ourselves of the ‘big picture’ as parents.…
Parents are the single biggest influence on young people’s career plans and can play a significant role in helping family members to make informed decisions about their future. Here…
Parenting isn’t easy whether you’re forty or fifteen. We all experience the same things just at different stages. Deciding to take on the challenge and responsibility of being…