Free parenting advice for families with Tākai

Families across New Zealand can now access free, trusted parenting information through Tākai, a national platform launched by the Government. Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says the platform provides evidence-based, accessible resources for parents, grandparents, and caregivers. The initiative aims to support children’s early development by offering practical guidance grounded in child development science, neuroscience, and mātauranga Māori. Tākai is designed to help deliver on priorities outlined in the Government’s Child and Youth Strategy, particularly supporting families in the first 2,000 days of a child’s life.

Tākai is funded through a $20 million Government investment in parenting initiatives from Budget 2025 contingency funds. The same funding supports expansions of two evidence-based parenting programmes, Triple P Positive Parenting and Mellow Parenting/Hoki ki te Rito, as well as a new initiative for families with the highest needs through the Social Investment Fund. The platform offers over 900 pages of plain-language articles, activities, songs, and workshop ideas for parents and caregivers of children from pregnancy to age five.

The platform also provides a programme of webinars and short online lessons, including videos featuring New Zealand parenting and child development specialists such as Brainwave Trust. These resources focus on the importance of early experiences and positive parenting approaches. Minister Upston emphasised that Tākai does not replace specialist support but provides early access to reliable information for many families.

Tākai resources are available at www.tākai.nz. The platform’s name was chosen following community engagement and refers to the traditional practice of wrapping pēpi and tamariki to symbolise warmth, closeness, security, and safety.