One Mother to Another is an award-winning charity which through the simple act of gift giving, cares for and empowers parents and whānau in hospital with a sick child, as well as mothers who are going through their own health journey while juggling motherhood.

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We provide over 6,000 care packages a year to mums and carers across the South Island. Our aim is to comfort and support whānau in a particularly vulnerable time.

 “It definitely lifted my spirits and gave me the strength I needed to be there and strong for my daughter.” – Esther

6,000+ packs each year

420+ packs per month

8 Hospitals & 3 Community Organisations

19 Hospital Wards & Community Organisations

Stories from some very special mothers who have received a care pack…

Each gift bag is slightly different but has 3 purposes – to provide…

Practical help

In each pack we include items to make a hospital stay more comfortable, such as toiletries, tea and coffee, snacks and chocolate which ensure a parent or carer does not have to leave their child’s side. The packs also include our bespoke gratitude journal which has been designed to help with mental wellbeing in the hospital setting. Drink bottles, hand cream, lip balm, toothbrush/ toothpaste and writing equipment are also included.

Heart

We want mums and carers to feel special, loved, appreciated and cared for. Both founders spent time in hospital with their young children so they know the vulnerabilities of this time. We want our packs to make people feel valued, seen and understood. Each pack contains a handwritten note of encouragement (written by our team of volunteers) and a handmade crocheted heart and a magnet of encouragement.

Something special

We know that in most cases mums and carers put other’s needs ahead of their own. We take pride and joy in adding some beautiful ‘treat’ items in each pack, including one or more gifts ranging from earrings to beauty products as well as a magazine. We want to spoil the recipient in a small way and we know these luxuries are greatly appreciated.

  “It brought tears to my eyes. At a time where I thought things couldn’t get any worse, there was a little light at the end of the tunnel.” – Mum

 “These are so so much more than a gift bag” – Jess

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How You

Can Help

Donate Volunteer Shop

Sometimes the simplest gestures of kindness can be the most effective. I believe One Mother to Another encompasses the Māori saying “Aroha atu, Aroha mai – Love given, Love returned”. Former Governor-General, Sir Jerry Mateparae, Patron

What people say

Recently my youngest baby was sick and with two toddlers at home, the idea of a sick baby and hospital stay was incredibly stressful. I was absolutely blown away when our nurse handed me a gift bag! Inside we’re treats and practical items which made me feel so cared about! I went from feeling an absolute mess with worry about my girl, to feeling humbled and joyful that people cared enough to recognise the strain that sickness has on parents. The bag truly was like sunshine in a very cloudy day. Bless you guys heaps xx

It’s a lovely thing to acknowledge the impact these environments can have on mums and something little like this just helps us to give a little self care and feel special.

Our Purpose:
Through the simple act of gift giving, we care for and empower parents and whānau with sick babies and children.

From One Mother To Another

1 day 5 hours ago

✨ First Packing Day of 2025 – and what a day it was! ✨ We kicked off the year with an epic packing session, putting

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🌟 A Heartwarming Visit to Dunedin NICU🌟 Our amazing One Mother to Another Co-founder and CEO, Joy, recently popped into Dunedin Hospital NICU for a

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🍽️🎉Get ready for a delicious adventure with our fundraising cookbook "EATS"! 🎉🍽️ To help us raise funds for One Mother to Another, we created an

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A special milestone for two One Mother to Another mamas! 💛 These boys both began their journeys as NICU babies—in fact, back in 2013, Jono

From One Mother To Another

1 week 2 days ago

Our One Mother to Another story told fabulously by Seven Sharp

From One Mother To Another

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"My partner and I had to go into Christchurch Women’s Hospital yesterday after our 5-day-old daughter had lost more than the expected weight over the

From One Mother To Another

2 weeks 6 hours ago

In 2024 One Mother to Another achieved so much thanks to the incredible support of our community: 👶 We expanded our support to include Christchurch

From One Mother To Another

2 weeks 11 hours ago

A HUGE shout out to OneForty One New Zealand for their support of our mahi! This grant will go towards purchasing essential items for our

♥︎ Real support by real people ♥️

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