More than one million nappies have reached families in need thanks to Plunket and Huggies®

The South Auckland Nappy Bank celebrated the major milestone with over one million nappies being gifted to families in need. The initiative, set up in 2017 is part of the Plunket and Huggies’ 26-year partnership.

The Southern Initiative’s ‘Early Years Challenge Report’, data showed that South Auckland was a young population with a higher than average concentration of children aged zero to three. In 2013, 21,000 babies were born in South Auckland; 13% of the total number of babies born in New Zealand.

South Auckland Plunket Nurse Alex Bird says Nappy Bank drop-off are something families really look forward to.
“The families who receive nappies from the Nappy Bank are struggling financially, and often have to go without,” Bird says.

“Nappies are an essential item, but if families don’t have the money for them, they may leave nappies on too long, which could impact the health of the child.” “All of us at Plunket who work with the Nappy Bank see the difference it makes. It gives families peace of mind that it’s one less thing for them to worry about that week. It can also help us get in the door with families we’re struggling to connect with, so we can see how they’re doing and where we can be of support. It’s an amazing initiative.”.

Plunket Partnership Manager Lara Schonberger says: “It’s wonderful that our partnership with Huggies is making such a tangible difference to the lives of whānau in South Auckland. We like to think of these nappies as a tiny hug we can give whānau. Life can be hard sometimes, especially as a parent, and we don’t want any whānau to feel like they have to go through it alone.”

Cameron Scott, General Manager of Kimberly-Clark New Zealand (manufacturer of Huggies nappies) said “We are so proud that our ongoing partnership with Plunket continues to help our newest New Zealanders and the Nappy Bank enables Plunket to help those families most in need.”

Demand for nappies in South Auckland can be greater than the stock held at the Nappy Bank. If you’d like to donate to support the Nappy Bank in South Auckland, please go to: plunket.org.nz/nappies.