Happy Birthday Plunket – 107 years young!

Happy Birthday Plunket – 107 years young!

Plunket, one of New Zealand’s icons, turns 107 years young this week - and is still going strong.

Plunket CEO Jenny Prince says that from its small beginnings, Plunket now provides support services for the development, health and wellbeing of New Zealand children.

“Nine out of 10 babies in New Zealand are ‘Plunket babies’, so it is a birthday we can all share and enjoy.

“We had a fantastic early present last month, when 10 Plunket families were chosen to meet the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George at a Plunket Parents Playgroup at Government House, hosted by our Patron Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae”, she says.

Plunket was founded in 1907 in Dunedin by child health visionary, Sir Fredric Truby King. Plunket nurses quickly became a vital line of support for mothers and babies throughout New Zealand and Plunket’s philosophy soon became parenting lore.

“Plunket has a history of innovation and the way we work with families and whānau has changed enormously over the past 107 years.

“From paper-based telegrams to live Facebook chats and PlunketLine – Plunket has kept up with change, ensuring that the services we provide are available to those that need it.

“Plunket was established out of a direct need to support parents. 107 years on, the way we support families may have changed but our mission remains the same - working with parents and communities to ensure that New Zealand children get the best start in life.

“More than 600 clinical staff and 5,000 volunteers represent and carry out Plunket’s good work to ensure the organisation continues to age with vitality. And with that many candles to blow out it will be a team effort as usual!” said Mrs Prince.

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