Success Stories
Petal babies
Transitional Care (Central East, 2023)
Baby L’s birth mother was unable to keep her for family and religious reasons. Initially she was going to stay at the Petal Home for just 3 days, however she remained in our care consistently for 3 months while her adoption was finalised. Her birth mother was welcomed to visit and she did so 3 times.
The same carer took care of Baby L from 9am to 6pm every day and another carer, always the same, cared for her from 6pm to 9am so Baby L was as settled and secure as possible during her first months of life.
When a family for Baby L was confirmed they visited the Petal Home many times to start bonding with her, to learn her routines and to gain confidence in caring for her. This ensured a very smooth transition into her new home.
Mother Facing Addiction (Wellington, 2025)
Baby H’s birth mother made the courageous decision to enter a drug rehabilitation center, determined to become a sober and present mother. Upon arrival, she was under the influence of methamphetamine and needed time to detox before safely caring for her baby.
During this critical period, Baby H was placed in respite care while maintaining connection with the mother through supervised visits at the rehab center to support their attachment. After 72 hours, once the mother had stabilized, Baby H transitioned into the mother-and-baby unit within the facility.
To support their fresh start, Petal provided essential baby items, including a bassinet and pram, which were generously donated to the mother and baby.
Supporting Father (South Auckland, 2024/2025)
Baby O was born prematurely at 30 weeks and spent the first eight weeks in the PICU. When Baby O was just two weeks old, the mother was diagnosed with cancer. The father found himself overwhelmed, juggling the care of his unwell wife, an elderly father, an adult sister with an intellectual disability, a 16-month-old toddler, and preparing for Baby O’s arrival home from the hospital.
Recognising their need for support, the parents turned to Petal, ensuring Baby O received the best care. Baby O stayed at Petal for 45 days. Despite his demanding circumstances, the father visited three to four times a week, balancing hospital visits with his wife, caring for his toddler and extended family, and learning essential caregiving skills - bathing, feeding, and understanding Baby O’s routines to maintain their attachment.
Petal provided the family with baby essentials and offered additional respite care for three months, helping them transition to life with a newborn at home.
Mother Facing Arrest Warrent (South Auckland, 2025)
Baby C’s mother had stopped meeting with her probation officer out of fear that her baby would be taken from her. As time passed, her benefits were cut off, and a warrant was issued for her arrest due to an incident from two years prior.
Her biggest fear in turning herself in was losing her baby (to OT). At seven weeks old, Baby C was thriving, meeting all developmental milestones, and being well cared for. The mother had no current drug or alcohol use, nor any concerns regarding her parenting. While she had a strong support network, she trusted no one else to care for her child.
A Petal staff member met her at the police station as she turned herself in. During her time in custody, Petal provided care for Baby C until she was released. This temporary support allowed the mother to finally resolve a lingering legal matter, creating a lasting positive impact for both her and her baby.
Homeless Mother (Central East, 2024)
After giving birth to Baby A, the mother initially planned for adoption but later changed her mind—against the wishes of her wider family. Her decision led to her becoming homeless, which in turn made her question whether she could keep her baby.
Petal offered both Baby A and the mother a place to stay, giving her the time and support needed to make an informed decision without external pressure. With this stability, she chose to keep her baby.
Today, the mother has a successful career and is raising a thriving, healthy child. Over time, she demonstrated her resilience and commitment, which led her family to accept her decision. Now, they are proud grandparents, fully supportive of her journey.
Safe Care
Petal provided emergency care for Baby R for her first 3 days of life as her mother was struggling with addiction and her father was struggling to look after her 4 other siblings. At 3 months old she returned for 3 days per week for a couple of months but had sadly not experienced attachment due to her family circumstances.
Baby R had exposure to methamphetamine while in the womb so was withdrawing and was therefore a challenging baby for her family to care for. The team at Petal supported her family with guidance (specific to managing withdrawal) to help them learn how to best look after her..
Transitional Care (South Auckland, 2024)
Baby N’s mother was attending university when she discovered she was already well into her pregnancy. Her family, a close-knit and hardworking unit, often worked six to seven days a week to make ends meet. After careful consideration, they decided that adoption was the best path for Baby N.
A Petal staff member was present at the hospital during the birth. Baby N was cared for by Petal for 70 days until the adoption process was finalized. At six weeks old, Baby N’s mother and grandmother selected a portfolio for the adoptive parents, and the transition process began.
Over the next 3.5 weeks, the adoptive parents' visits increased and gradually took on more responsibilities, with visiting hours increasing as they learned essential parenting skills, routines, and ways to build love and attachment. Throughout Baby N’s stay, their biological family remained actively involved, visiting often to bring gifts, sing, and shower the baby with love.
On Day 70, Baby N graduated. Graduation Day is a moment of pure aroha and celebration—a day to come together, share food, honor everyone’s contributions, and reflect on pepi’s journey with laughter and love. Baby N’s biological family, adoptive parents, and a Petal staff member gathered to exchange stories, express gratitude, and celebrate this significant transition.
Unknown Pregnancy (South Auckland, 2024)
Māmā M went into labour without knowing she was pregnant. She had experienced back and stomach pain, and only discovered she was in labour when the ambulance arrived. With a stable job and no prior signs, she was shocked and unprepared for her baby’s arrival.
Living in shared accommodation where children under five weren’t allowed, she quickly became overwhelmed. A Petal staff member visited her in hospital the day after Baby J was born, introducing Petal’s services and reassuring her that she would remain in control of all decisions. Baby J was transitioned into Petal’s care later that day.
Initially, Māmā M showed no signs of attachment, but within 12 hours she requested photos, and by the end of the first week, she was visiting regularly. While managing postpartum depression with midwifery support, she also faced tragedy—her younger brother, her only close relative in New Zealand, died in an accident on his way to meet his nephew.
Petal supported her through grief, providing emotional care, parenting guidance, and help securing housing. After three months, she and Baby J moved into a new home with donated essentials. Petal continued to offer respite care in the following months, and we still receive proud māmā updates to this day.
*Names changed for privacy purposes
Testimonials
“I am very grateful to the Petal Foundation; they were incredibly helpful and supportive during my journey as a new mum. My son was in great hands with them, and they played a vital role in helping me raise him. They guided me through the challenges of motherhood, showing me what I needed to do and prepare. Words can't fully express my appreciation for the care and service they provided. From my own experience, I don’t know how I would have been able to raise my son and meet his needs without the Petal Foundation’s intervention. For that, I am deeply grateful. Faafetai tele lava, Petal Foundation. Afai o loo tau sailia se tasi e fesoasoani mo oe ao e feagai ai mā le tausiaina o lau pepe mo Le taimi muamua, saili Le fesoasoani a Le Petal Foundation.
-2024
“Petal was there to help when I needed some extra support when my baby was around the 5 month mark. I was diagnosed with postnatal depression, anxiety and PTSD with my first child after a very traumatic and dangerous birth, so it was no surprise that I had recurrent PND the second time around too, only it set in earlier and occurred perinatally with my second pregnancy during the third trimester.
With my second child I felt a lot better prepared with my mental health and had good support structures in place with medication, a great GP and access to counselling should I require it, but I wasn't really prepared for the lack of 'village' support this time around. It felt a lot like I was really on my own, but my workload had literally doubled. We have loving grandparents but they all work full time and we have no access to family childcare or people you could trust with your baby when they're small, for even a short period of time.
I was referred to Petal by my mum and it was the best thing that's ever happened to me. I am so so grateful for the loving kindness they have shown me and my little baby. I was really anxious about going the first time as I felt like I was abandoning him in a way, but as soon as I saw how safe and clean the house was, the love and absolute dedication the team have for all the babies in their care, and how much they really cared about my wellbeing and the rest I needed, I knew it was the best thing for both me and my child at that point in time.
I came back from my breaks refreshed, I was able to care for my sick toddler through a very challenging winter and I could be a much better mum and person with a bit of balance and some helping hands.
Petal really saved me at that time in my journey and I can't thank Kristie and the team enough. I think the service they offer is second to none and I wish there was a Petal house in every neighbourhood.”
- 2024
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!
— Anonymous, transitional care parent
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 daughters 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!"
- 2024
