Pregnancy & Parenting Education Classes

Te Whatu Ora Waitematā District provides a free comprehensive programme for pregnancy and parenting education. The Pregnancy and Parenting classes are for all pregnant women/people who live in the Waitematā area, and their partners, support people and whānau. We offer the option of face-to-face or Zoom sessions, in English or Mandarin.

We strongly support The Ministry of Health’s recommendation that pregnant women/people and their whānau 12 years and older are double vaccinated for COVID-19, with boosters up to date as recommended. As a public health service, our classes will remain open for all regardless of vaccination status.

If you have any questions, please email

Courses Offered

Our full course is 12 hours of education - please enrol separately for all 3 options of Healthy Pregnancy (2 hour class), Pregnancy & Parenting Course (8 hour course) and Breastfeeding (2 hour class) if you would like to attend all 12 hours.

Week 1: Healthy Pregnancy is a 2-hour class for pregnant women/people and whānau. This session is designed to be taken any time from when you first find out you are pregnant, right up to directly before you start your Pregnancy & Parenting course at 26-28 weeks. Topics covered include:

• Finding reliable information and making informed decisions
• Keeping healthy in pregnancy
• Options for place of birth
• Starting your birth plan
• Preparing for your pēpi
• Signs of early labour and when to call your Lead Maternity Carer (LMC)

Weeks 2-5: Pregnancy and Parenting Courses (8 hours) consist of 4 x 2-hour classes run over 4 weeks (face to face or via Zoom), or 2 x 4-hour classes run over 2 weekends. We recommend you complete the Healthy Pregnancy class before attending this course. You will be booked to start your selected Pregnancy and Parenting course at around 26 - 28 weeks of pregnancy. Topics covered include

• Your labour and birth
• Options for pain relief
• Complications in labour and birth
• Breastfeeding and safe sleeping
• The first 6 weeks - caring for yourself and your new pēpi

Breastfeeding classes (2 hours) are offered once per month at Waitakere Hospital, Maternity Outpatient Clinic in Takapuna, and via Zoom. These classes are facilitated by a lactation consultant.  This is a practical, interactive session designed to delve a little deeper beyond the first few days with your pēpi, and to give you confidence in getting breastfeeding off to a great start.

Breastfeeding classes for speakers of Mandarin are available once a month at Maternity Outpatient Clinic in Takapuna, and via Zoom.

Culturally specific groups:

Wānanga Hapūtanga - A full day wānanga open to any wāhine hapū/pregnant people and whānau who whakapapa Māori, at any stage of pregnancy. Focus is on empowering a healthy pregnancy, birth and transition to parenthood through restoring kaupapa Māori traditional birthing knowledge:

Make your own muka tie and ipu whenua; learn about healthy pregnancy, birth and parenting; use traditional natural methods including mirimiri and taonga puoro. The wānanga is FREE with healthy kai and parking vouchers provided. Tamariki and whānau welcome.

Spaces are limited so book early using the online booking form below. For further information, please contact Kate Hare - kate.hare@waitematadhb.govt.nz. Ph 021 523 479.

Te Aka Oranga Waikawa Wahakura Wānanga - A two-day weaving wānanga open to any wāhine hapū/pregnant people and whānau at any stage of pregnancy to weave their own wahakura (baby bassinet) for their pēpi. The wānanga is FREE with all materials supplied, lunch and parking vouchers included. Safe sleep messages are woven into the day and whānau support is encouraged.

Spaces are limited so book early via Rosie Houghton - Māori Women’s Health Liaison Coordinator, ph 021 926 361 or by using the online booking form below.

Titifaitama - Breastfeeding group open to all Pacific antenatal and postnatal parents and families who want to know more about breastfeeding. The group is facilitated by our Pacific Island Cultural Liaison Coordinator together with a Lactation Consultant. Shared lunch provided. Contact Galu if you would like to attend or for more information - galuafi.lui@waitematadhb.govt.nz. Ph 021 286 1686. Home visits with a Lactation Consultant can also be arranged on request.

Bookings for all our courses are essential.

Please scroll down to review the timetable below or register directly via the link below with your preferences:

Register here for Healthy Pregnancy (2 hours), Pregnancy and Parenting course (8 hours), Breastfeeding (2 hours), Titifaitama (3 hours), Wānanga Hapūtanga (1 day), and Te Aka Oranga Waikawa Wahakura Wānanga (2 days)

Information Sheets

Venues

Face-to-face classes are held at:

• Maternity Outpatient Clinic, 3 Shea Terrace, Takapuna
• Waitākere Conference Room, Waitākere Hospital, Lincoln Road, Henderson
• Titifaitama is held at Rānui Community Centre, 474 Swanson Road, Rānui
• Wānanga Hapūtanga is held at Waitākere Hospital Marae
• Te Aka Oranga Waikawa Wahakura Wānanga is held at Waitākere Hospital Marae

Please scroll down to review the timetable below or register directly via the link below with your preferences:

Register here for Healthy Pregnancy (2 hours), Pregnancy and Parenting course (8 hours), Breastfeeding (2 hours), Titifaitama (3 hours), Hapūtanga Wānanga (1 day), and Te Aka Oranga Waikawa Wahakura Wānanga (2 days)

You will receive an email to confirm your booking.
If you have any questions, please email:

 

 

Pregnancy and Parenting Education Schedule

Unless a date is specified, all courses run one after the other throughout the year.

Month	Code	Venue	Address	Day	Time	Language
Healthy Pregnancy - North	HP-Tues	North Shore	Maternity Outpatient Clinic 3 Shea Tce Takapuna	Tuesday	A single two-hour session 7pm to 9pm	English
Healthy Pregnancy - North	HP-Thurs	North Shore	Maternity Outpatient Clinic 3 Shea Tce Takapuna	Thursday	A single two-hour session 6.30pm - 8.30pm	English
Healthy Pregnancy - West	HP-Wed	West Auckland	Waitākere Conference Centre Waitākere Hospital	Wednesday	A single two-hour session 7pm to 9pm	English
Healthy Pregnancy - Zoom	HPZ-Tues	Zoom	Zoom link	Tuesday	A single two-hour session 6.30pm - 8.30pm	English
Healthy Pregnancy - Zoom	HPZ-Sat	Zoom	Zoom link	Saturday	A single two-hour session 2pm - 4pm	English
Healthy Pregnancy - Zoom Mandarin	HPZ-M	Zoom	Zoom link	Tuesday	A single two-hour session 7pm to 9pm	Mandarin
Pregnancy and Parenting Course - North	PP-Tues	North Shore	Maternity Outpatient Clinic 3 Shea Tce Takapuna	Tuesdays	Two-hour sessions, once a week for four weeks 7pm - 9pm	English
Pregnancy and Parenting Course - North	PP-Thurs	North Shore	Maternity Outpatient Clinic 3 Shea Tce Takapuna	Thursdays	Two-hour sessions, once a week for four weeks  6.30pm - 8.30pm	English
Pregnancy and Parenting Course - North weekend	PP-North Sat	North Shore	Maternity Outpatient Clinic 3 Shea Tce Takapuna	Saturdays	Four-hour sessions, once a week for two weeks 1pm - 5pm	English
Pregnancy and Parenting Course - West	PP-West	West Auckland	Waitākere Conference Centre Waitākere Hospital	Wednesdays	Two-hour sessions, once a week for four weeks 7pm - 9pm	English
Pregnancy and Parenting Course - West weekend	PP-West Sat	West Auckland	Waitākere Conference Centre Waitākere Hospital	Saturdays	Four-hour sessions, once a week for two weeks 10am - 2pm	English
Pregnancy and Parenting Course - Mandarin	PP-North- M	North Shore	Maternity Outpatient Clinic 3 Shea Terrace Takapuna	Sundays	Four-hour session, once a week for two weeks 9am - 1pm	Mandarin
Pregnancy and Parenting Course - Zoom	PPZ-Tues	Zoom	Zoom link	Tuesdays	Two-hour sessions, once a week for four weeks  6:30pm - 8:30pm	English
Pregnancy and Parenting Course - Zoom	PPZ-Sat	Zoom	Zoom link	Saturdays	Two-hour sessions, once a week for four weeks 2pm - 4pm	English
Pregnancy and Parenting Course - Zoom Mandarin	PPZ-M	Zoom	Zoom link	Tuesdays	Two-hour sessions, once a week for four weeks 7pm - 9pm	Mandarin
Breastfeeding Class - North	BF-N	North Shore	Maternity Outpatient Clinic 3 Shea Terrace Takapuna	Thursday	A single two-hour session 7pm - 9pm	English
Breastfeeding Class - West	BF-W	West Auckland	Waitākere Conference Centre Waitākere Hospital	Thursday	A single two-hour session 7pm - 9pm	English
Breastfeeding Class - North Mandarin	BF-N-M	North Shore	Maternity Outpatient Clinic 3 Shea Terrace Takapuna	Monday	A single two-hour session 7pm - 9pm	Mandarin
Breastfeeding Class - Zoom	BFZ	Zoom	Zoom link	Thursday	A single two-hour session 7pm - 9pm	English
Breastfeeding Class - Zoom Mandarin	BFZ-M	Zoom	Zoom link	Monday	A single two-hour session 7pm - 9pm	Mandarin
Titifaitama Pregnancy and New Parent Breastfeeding Group	BF-T	West Auckland	Rānui Community Centre 474 Swanson Road, Rānui	Thursdays in 2024: TBC	3-hour session 10am - 1pm	English
Wānanga Hapūtanga	HW	West Auckland	Waitākere Hospital Marae	Saturdays in 2024: 10th Feb 6th April 22nd June 17th Aug 19th Oct 7th Dec	Wānanga Hapūtanga - Full day wānanga	English and Te Reo
Te Aka Oranga Waikawa Wahakura Wānanga	WW	West Auckland	Waitākere  Hospital Marae	Thurs/Fri in 2024: 28-29 Mar 30-31 May 25-26 July 26-27 Sept 28-29 Nov	Te Aka Oranga Waikawa Wahakura Wānanga  2-day wānanga	English and Te Reo

Please complete a separate registration form for each of the classes you wish to complete:

Register here for Healthy Pregnancy, Pregnancy and Parenting course, Breastfeeding, Titifaitama, Wānanga Hapūtanga (1 day), and Te Aka Oranga Waikawa Wahakura Wānanga (2 days)

You will receive an email to confirm your booking.
If you have any questions, please email: 

Pregnancy and Parenting Courses for Teen Parents

He Wero School for Young Parents, Henderson, Auckland - He Wero School for Young Parents delivers free education for youth who are pregnant and/or parenting. It offers the opportunity for young parents to reach their educational goals whilst raising their family.

He Wero's purpose-built facilities cater to all your schooling and childcare needs. Parenting, Budgeting and Employment Skills courses are delivered on-site. A wide range of NCEA subjects and EOTC opportunities are offered. Barnardos ECE and a Kohunga Reo are available for childcare needs. Food and transport are also provided.
For more information contact Rhiannon Robertson: Phone 09 837 7570 or email 

Living and Learning Family Centre Young Mum Programme, Henderson - The Young Mum programme supports young mums/young parents-to-be (16-25 year olds) in West Auckland.  The programme covers parenting programmes, life skills, group workshops on health and wellbeing to build personal growth and development.  The programme runs for 20 weeks (with two intakes per year), on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 0930-2:30pm.  There is no charge to the programme and childcare is available on site. 
To make a referral to Young Mum Programme or for more information please contact the Programme Coordinator:  Text 029 773 063l, Centre contact number 09 837 7992 or email 

Grace Gate Young Mums Programme, Rosedale, North Shore - Young Mums Programme provides a variety of different ideas and resources, to equip young parents with knowledge and understanding for their parenting journey.
Website: http://www.gracegate.org.nz/young-mums/. Phone Charisa Giles on 09 914 2999 or email  

Pregnancy Health Information for Indian Women/People

Janm Aur Parvarish - Zoom classes facilitated by Te Rito Ora (Counties Manukau). Open to people from all areas of New Zealand. Topics covered include: breastfeeding, labour and birthing, nutrition and physical activity, early child bonding and parenting, safe sleep and baby bathing, immunisation. Sessions are on Mondays and Thursdays, 10-11.30am.

Email: or call 0800 435 723 to register.

Pregnancy and Parenting Classes for Whānau North Rodney

Helensville Birthing Centre - We offer free Pregnancy and Parenting classes for women/parents living in the South Kaipara area. Please email Helensville Birthing Centre for more information or book online here

Warkworth Birthing Centre - Pregnancy and Parenting classes are held at the Birthing Centre throughout the year. Suitable for first time mums/parents as well as those who have previously had children, the courses cover a wide range of topics and are run in an informative, supportive manner responsive to the group's needs. Book online here or contact us on phone (09) 425 8201 or email admin@wwbc.co.nz

Pregnancy and Baby

In addition to classes, evidence-based pregnancy and parenting information is available on the "Manatū Hauora Ministry of Health" website.

Other Providers of Pregnancy and Parenting Education

FREE Pregnancy and Parenting Education is available at:

Whānau Āwhina Plunket is a charity and Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest provider of services to support the health and wellbeing of children aged up to five. We offer free health and development checks, a 24/7 parenting helpline, and a range of local services. Whānau Āwhina Plunket’s nurses provide clinical assessments, and along with our kaiāwhina and community karitāne provide care, support and health education to whānau and families.  
Contact: 0800 933 922. To find out more visit https://www.plunket.org.nz/ 

Te Puna Hauora, North Shore – Mana Maatua is a free nine week parenting programme for parents, held on Thursday Mornings from 9.30am – 1.00pm. The programme is designed for whānau to share their experiences, ideas and views while gaining new knowledge and skills in becoming confident, capable parents. Each week a new module topic is discussed: whānau, child development, behaviour, healthy lifestyles, blended families, safer families, goal setting and problem-solving. Contact: Te Puna Hauora Social services on 094890187 or 094890186 or complete an online referral. To find out more visit http://tepuna.org.nz/connect

Te Whānau o Waipareira – Kaiarahi Child Services provide a FREE flexible home based service that supports parents, caregivers and whānau, to be the best parents they can be and help their child get the best start in life 0-5yrs. Enrol during pregnancy or before your child turns 4yrs.
To find out more visit https://www.waipareira.com/support-for-you-and-your-whānau/pepi-tamariki/

For private providers of user pays programmes search online for pregnancy and parenting education or antenatal education North Shore or West Auckland.