Giving babies a safe, loving start when families need time and support.
Hello Kia Ora Talofa Mālō e lelei Ni Hao Namaste Sata srī akāla Sawadee Bula
Petal provides short-term, specialised care for babies when families are going through a challenging time, keeping baby safe in a warm home while māma and whānau make informed choices.
Whether they are with us for just a few hours or over a month, we provide babies in our care a loving and secure start, setting them up to grow and flourish.
Mereterowai welcomes you
When to Think of Petal:
Respite Care
For mothers of non-mobile babies who are in need of respite and time to catch a breath, or a mumma under postpartum mental health strain.
Pre-transition
We provide a safe, loving and consistent environment for pre-transition babies, with a particular focus on time and space, reducing trauma when transitioning into their new family.
Safe Care
For babies whose mother’s cannot safely take baby home right now, or following a concealed pregnancy or sudden crisis.
Help support Petal
Gift Essentials
There are often clothes or household goods that can benefit the families we support.
Volunteer
Our fantastic volunteers help us by donating their time for anything from cleaning and maintenance, to knitting and sewing. Contact us to find roles available for you.
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Petal provides babies a safe, loving start when families need time, space and support.
Petal provides specialised short-term care for babies while māma and whānau work through challenging circumstances and make informed choices.
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Referrals can be made by social workers, GPs, hospital staff, social service providers, community workers, or directly by whānau.
Once a referral is received, specific documentation must be completed. This paperwork gives Petal permission to provide care and ensures we do so safely and legally.
It’s important to note that the parent or māmā remains the legal guardian at all times.
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We care for non-mobile babies, typically from birth to around 12 months of age, depending on their stage of development.
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The standard care period is up to 45 days, with the possibility of an extension approved by our trustees.
Some whānau have received additional support for 30–40 days, depending on their situation.
Each care plan is developed collaboratively with the referring agency, social service providers, whānau, and Petal’s Engagement Manager.
Initial meetings usually take place at Petal or a partner agency’s office.
We take cultural needs seriously and strive to provide support that honours each baby’s identity and background.
Petal does not conduct home visits. If there are care or safety concerns, visits are typically made by the referring social worker.
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Yes. We warmly encourage visits when māmā is well and the environment is safe for both baby and staff.
When appropriate, we can bring the baby to visit māmā in hospital or rehabilitation settings to support bonding and attachment.
If māmā is unable to travel, we try to assist by transporting the baby for visits, when possible.
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Yes, Petal primarily serves the Auckland region. However, in special cases and depending on capacity, we have supported whānau outside Auckland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Words cannot describe how immensely grateful we are to the Petal Foundation for the endless love and support they put into ensuring that our daughter had the best possible start to life regardless of the situation with which she was born into. With great care and kindness the Petal team played an integral part in ensuring that our daughter’s transition into our care as her adoptive parents was not rushed; we were given time to get to know her, to learn her routines, and build a connection, all under the guidance of a patient team who were always there to help and answer any questions along the way. My husband and I reflect on our time with the Petal Foundation and feel that without their involvement our experience would have been a great deal more rushed, stressful, and even traumatic, but instead all parties came away confident and ready to move forward. It is our wish that every child, birth parent, and adoptive parent going through a transition of care can be provided with the positive and nurturing environment that the Petal Foundation creates!
— Transitional care parent
