Heartlands is proud to present a series of workshops focusing on raising children in the South Wairarapa.
We have partnered with some fantastic organisations to bring these workshops to you free of charge!
These workshops are open to anyone supporting tamariki or rangatahi in the South Wairarapa: parents, grandparents, older siblings or teachers. All workshops will be held at Heartlands Services, 39 Jellicoe Street, Martinborough except the talk with Kathryn Berkett (held at Featherston School)..
Although not essential, we would really appreciate you registering for which sessions you want to attend so we know how many to expect. There are attendance limits for some sessions, we will update you if any of these numbers are reached.
With thanks to the Tindall Foundation for funding this programme.
Ruth our local Health Improvement Practitioner will guide you through some common challenges with toddler behaviour and answer any questions you may have.
Thursday 25th June, 10am
Are you struggling with a picky eater at your dinner table?
Ruth will share some strategies around encouraging your child to eat a variety of healthy and delicious kai.
Wednesday 10th June, 10am
Come and hear from Rachel about how you can support children’s language development.Every adult who regularly interacts with growing children is in a powerful position to contribute to their language development.
The Chatterbox project supports all adults who interact with children from birth until school: parents, grandparents, caregivers, siblings, aunts and uncles, other family members, and close family friends.
Thursday 18th June 1.30pm
When puberty hits and our young people seem to change overnight, it can feel confusing and exhausting.
Wellington-based educator and speaker Kathryn Berkett helps parents, caregivers, teachers and youth workers understand adolescence as a temporary and essential upgrade, not a shutdown. With warmth, empathy and humour, she unpacks the huge physical and chemical changes driving teenage behaviour, from shifts in dopamine and hormones to changes in facial recognition, risk-taking and social processing. Behaviours that seem moody, avoidant or reckless are reframed as natural responses to a brain under construction. When we understand that, everything changes.
Registrations are required for this event as spaces are limited.
Monday 8th June 6pm
Venue: Featherston School
Rachel Solomon from REAP Wairarapa will be holding a book swap and storytime! Please bring a book for each child to swap, and they will be able take home a new-to-them book to read!
Wednesday 27th May 1.30pm
Wednesday 24th June 10am
Moving into a school environment after early childcare can be daunting for all kids, but especially our autistic tamariki. Come and learn from the experts at Autism NZ about how you can best support this transition.
Wednesday 17th June 1pm
The nurses from Well Child Tamariki Ora will be holding a lunchtime session, discussing how you can support your child to potty train successfully. There will be a chance for Q+A during the session.
Friday 12th June 12pm
Have you welcomed a baby in the last 12 months? Come along for a morning tea to meet with other local new families and to hear from Julie Foley, who is the Wairarapa’s lactation consultant and safe sleep expert.
Wednesday 17th June 10am
Separation doesn’t just affect parents and children — it can deeply impact grandparents too. This practical legal education session explores the rights, roles, and options available to grandparents when family relationships change.
Learn how the law views grandparent involvement, what steps can be taken to maintain meaningful connections with grandchildren, and where to get support when contact is disrupted.
Designed for grandparents and family members, this session provides clear, compassionate guidance through a complex and emotional area of family law.
Wednesday 10th June 12pm
We all want our kids to grow up healthy, happy and fully themselves. Many are aware of physical differences and their gender identity as young as two or three. Tamariki are naturally curious and open-minded but they learn about stereotypes, attitudes and perceptions from those around them.
This means it’s important to make sure we can talk about gender and sexual identities in an easy and inclusive way so that they can understand themselves and have empathy for the diversity of experiences around them. Join us for a session with InsideOUT where we’ll learn to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all kids to grow up in. A world of rainbow allies!
Tuesday 16th June 1.30pm
A workshop especially for dads!
Join local hairdresser Pierce for a friendly and casual workshop on how to do you kids hair. Feel free to bring your kids with you.
Pies provided!
Numbers are limited, we would appreciate you registering if you intend to come along.
Monday 22nd June 5pm