Plunket has once again been forced to cut a crucial service for new parents due to a lack of funding - this time its parenting programmes.
Plunket, a free service aimed at improving the development, health and wellbeing of children under the age of five, announced it can no longer run its parenting programmes at the current annual loss of $400,000.
Plunket chief executive Amanda Malu told Newshub it wasn't an easy decision.
"I'm very sad that we have to let this service go, it wasn't an easy decision but the reality is we just can't sustain the financial loss."
Christchurch parents Newshub spoke to share Malu's devastation.
"I think it's pretty crappy, especially for like young parents, I've got two young ones, and the classes were pretty awesome."
"It's definitely disappointing, plenty of people get a lot out of them, NZ mums will definitely be without not having them," another said.
The decision has resulted in a loss of five permanent and 17 casual staff and a further 16 staff members will have their hours reduced.
"So it's a really tough time for them and it's a sad day for our organisation to be saying goodbye to a loved programme like this," Malu said.
The 115-year-old organisation has had to cut services in the past. Its Plunket Nurse Well-child Service is funded by the Government, every other program relies on donations and grants.
"If we could keep funding it and cover its costs then we'd keep running it."
Research shows the first 1000 days are the most important in a child's life but they are also some of the most challenging for a first-time parent.
"Huge support, it stops people from being isolated," a Christchurch parent said.
Plunket needs $8 to $10 million annually to provide its services, meaning it has to raise funds to help parents raise their children.
