All genders

Communication is much more than words. Communication is the way we connect and interact with people. It is part of our identity and culture. It helps us to learn, interact with others and make friends.

Autism-takiwātanga is a difference in development that affects communication, social skills and behaviour. If your child does have autism-takiwātanga, there are services available to support your child, you and your whānau. 

Palliative care is the care provided to pēpi (babies), tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people) with serious illnesses, and their whānau (families). It focuses on comfort, quality of life and support for your child and whānau.

A renal biopsy is a test to help decide what is wrong with your child's kidney. It involves taking a tiny sample of your child's kidney. 

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in girls and boys helps prevent cervical and other cancers caused by HPV. HPV vaccination is free for everyone from 9 years of age until before their 27th birthday.

Flu vaccination is available from 1 April each year. It's important for everyone over 6 months old to have a flu vaccination every year. It's especially important for tamariki (children) with certain long-term health conditions, and for women in pregnancy.

Show your child that you are interested in what they say, not how they say it. Help your child learn how to say tricky sounds by repeating them correctly as naturally as possible.

Vaccination on time is the most effective way to protect hapū māmā (pregnant mothers), pēpi (babies) and tamariki (children) from preventable disease.

A health professional may recommend grommets if your child has frequent ear infections or glue ear (middle ear fluid that hasn’t cleared away).

A listing of New Zealand organisations, resources, helplines and counselling services aimed at preventing harm to tamariki (children), or which can offer help when family violence or abuse has occurred.

If you have been told your child has ‘glue ear’, it means there is fluid in the space behind the eardrum. This is not an infection, so there is usually no pain. Fluid in this space most commonly causes difficulty hearing. Hearing loss for long periods during the early years may affect the development of speech. It may also impact learning at school.

Tamariki (children) have thinner skin that burns faster, deeper and at lower temperatures compared to adults. Most childhood burn injuries happen in the home, especially in the kitchen. You can prevent burns by taking some simple steps at home.

Keep your child safe near water. Never leave tamariki (children), especially those under 5, unsupervised near any water, including baths, buckets and water troughs.

Plasters (also called casts or plaster casts) and splints are used to treat fractures. They allow fractures time to rest and heal.

Plasters (also called casts or plaster casts) and splints are used to treat fractures. They allow fractures time to rest and heal.

Fevers are common in tamariki (children). Fever by itself does not tell you whether your child is seriously sick. Even an ordinary cold can cause a high fever.