Support for Caregivers Policy

Babies and children at Te Pūnaha Matatini events and programmes

We support those with childcare responsibilities in participating in Te Pūnaha Matatini events and programmes, acknowledging that there are a number of reasons why babies and children might be present at events, and welcoming their presence alongside that of their caregivers.

We expect all members of the Te Pūnaha Matatini community to work together to create a welcoming environment, which is inclusive – including inclusive of those with childcare responsibilities, and the babies and children for whom they are responsible.

We enact our support for the participation of those with childcare responsibilities in a number of ways, designed to complement the needs of the specific whānau.

  • For Te Pūnaha Matatini-hosted events and programmes, our expectation is that babies, children, and their caregivers, particularly those with responsibility for infant feeding, including breastfeeding, are included and welcome in all spaces, and are not expected to only participate within the dedicated parenting space.
  • At Te Pūnaha Matatini-hosted or sponsored events and conferences, we are committed to providing a dedicated parenting room, with provisions for infant feeding, including breastfeeding, and a safe, quiet place for older infants and children and their caregivers. Where possible and/or appropriate, a live stream of plenary sessions will be made available in this space. This provision will include a suitable space (bookable, lockable, breast milk storage facilities) for breastfeeding caregivers to express.

Childcare

We support childcare provisions where suitable for whānau, in addition to our commitment to inclusive events within which babies, children, and their caregivers are supported to participate.

We will provide childcare support for all Te Pūnaha Matatini events which require travel outside normal working hours or overnight.

  • This can take the form of reimbursement for additional childcare costs (for example, after school care); or a small koha to family members who take on additional responsibilities to make the required travel possible.
  • For larger hui and conferences, we will make professional childcare available onsite where there is sufficient need, and will circulate notice of this in advance.

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