About Us

Motivated by her decade long experience as a Barnardos' carer, Jo founded the Petal Foundation—a safe haven where babies in need can experience the warmth and care that is so crucial for their first precious hours, days, weeks or, if needed, months of life in a Petal Home.

Jo saw first hand the tough start many babies had. These little ones came to her with signs of neglect that would break anyone's heart — bodies smeared with faecal matter, illnesses like gonorrhoea and other STDs, signs of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, and more. Some experiencing months of instability, being passed around different carers while plans were made for their future

Caring for these babies despite their struggles, Jo found hope in the smallest moments. Jo knew they felt safe in her care, knowing the touch of love could make a world of difference to their early life’s wellbeing. Once these babies experience the feeling of love, nurturing and safety it’s embedded in their wairua (spirit.)  Having that caring imprint will help them throughout their life’s journey.

Realising it required a team to provide the level of care these babies deserved and needed Jo had a vision to create a dedicated team of like-minded passionate carers to give babies born totally alone in this world the best care and start in life possible.

Establishing Petal foundation hasn’t been easy; it’s been extremely challenging over the years. But to see the Petal Home operational and doing exactly what Jo set out to do, providing this much needed vital care to babies, she knows Petal Foundation is making a difference by impacting their early lives for a more positive and healthy future.