WHAT WE DO
OUR PURPOSE
While we do offer baby boxes for sale to anyone who wants one, we are a charity first and foremost.
Our mission is simple:
Today, every baby born in New Zealand has the right to have their needs met
Tomorrow, our goal is to make sure they are
We will achieve our mission by providing comprehensive packages designed to keep new babies warm and safe for the first 100 days of life and beyond. Each package contains approximately 30 high quality baby clothing and care products and we are the only charity in New Zealand providing infant care packages which contain entirely brand new items.
One of our most important focuses is the connection which the gift of a baby box can contribute to between healthcare or social work professionals and their clients. The process of gifting and explaining the box and its contents is one of the most valuable aspects of the BabyStart programme.
OUR RESULTS
We have carefully put together a box full of items that are both useful and of high quality. We have consulted with organisations including the Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand, Plunket, the New Zealand College of Midwives, and the University of Auckland.
In March 2016 we gave away our very first box to a three day old boy on his first day home from hospital. His family and midwife had grave concerns for his wellbeing. After being given a baby box he benefited from organic cotton and merino clothing and all the basic items he would need to thrive.
Since then we have given away more than 2,700 boxes to whānau in need. These are just some of the comments from families who have received a box:
To be able to provide support and encouragement via the delivery of the BabyStart box increased trust and connection in our relationship. This Mama has been involved in statutory services and has been mistrusting of health services, and this was such a positive experience for me. She was so visibly delighted with all the products which was a real joy.
It was a beautiful feeling to see their faces light up as they received a box, we do not just deliver to anyone they are truly in great need of the items so when they were able to receive it there faces said it all as they even started crying from pulling each item out of the "hope box" they called it.
I'm tired and I'm not celebrating Christmas. I just want to give birth to the babies. Oh, this has made my day, thank you so much. I'm being induced next month with twins. This is so beautiful and a lot of things.
GETTING A BOX
There are three ways to get a BabyStart Box.
Firstly, we work with midwives and social workers to provide free boxes that they can give to clients who need them the most. This is at their discretion and we provide them with as many boxes as we can find funding for. This includes hospital-based and community midwives, many of whom deal with babies whose parents have not had any contact with a midwife or LMC until the day their baby is born. We currently have a waiting list of distributors but you can contact us to find out more about availability in your area. Please note, we are unable to provide baby boxes directly to recipients on request but rather need the referral of a distributor who is already working with us.
Secondly, we provide the boxes at cost price to Government agencies, community groups, midwives and charities that work with babies who need extra help. If you would like to know more about purchasing boxes on behalf of an organisation please contact us.
Finally, the boxes are available for purchase for anyone in New Zealand. Each box sold enables us to purchase one to give away to a baby in need. The recommended retail cost for a single box is approximately $800, but thanks to the generosity of our suppliers we are able to offer them for $795 while still being able to give away an identical box to a baby in need. Please visit our purchase page for more information.