Nelson Tasman Perinatal Support

13/04/2026

Kia Ora Koutou

It’s my pleasure to introduce you all to our new Clinical Manager. Melissa Sadd.
During my final two weeks in the role, I will be working alongside her to support a smooth and thorough onboarding process, sharing the key knowledge, processes, and context that guide our mahi with māmā, pēpi and whānau. Our intention is to ensure a steady, well supported transition and maintain the strong connections we hold with your agencies, ensuring continuity and a strong handover so our relationships and mahi with you remain seamless.

Ngā mihi nui Rachael

_____________________________________________________________

I have asked Melissa to introduce herself.

Kia ora Koutou

Ki te taha ō tōku mama
Ko Tokomaru, Tutumapou, Tapuae o Uenuku ngā maunga
Ko Wairau, Te Hoiere ōku awa
Ko Tainui me Kurahaupo ōku waka
Ko Ngati Rārua, Ngati Kuia, Ngati Apa Rangitane ōku iwi
Ko Melissa Sadd tōku ingoa

With a background in health, NGO’s, Kaupapa Māori, whānau ora and Family Harm, I bring both lived experience and professional insight into supporting māmā and pēpē navigating tough times. This kaupapa is close to my heart, and I’m really looking forward to meeting you and having a kōrero

01/04/2026

Kia Ora Community Partners

I am feeling very grateful, yesterday I concluded the 8 week "Good Grief I'm a Mum Group" in the Tapawera Community. This has been a first for our organisation. It has been a year in the making and was such a privilege to be able to meet the Mum's in their community. Thank you to Rural Mum's Tapawera, always a pleasure and thank you for your trust. Thank you to Nelson Bays Primary Health for your continued funding support to make these groups happen.

I raised my babies in Tapawera until they were in their teens, so it felt like going home in many ways, and was a special journey I took each week.

I am always so humbled to be part of this group, to witness the deep seeing that happens between mums, the shared vulnerability that is offered, and the compassion and empathy that flow so generously. I am in awe of the courage it takes to show up, to trust the process, and to trust each other. And I am continually moved by the way mums begin to see themselves differently by the end of the group. This is a gift that is given to me as their facilitator.

I was very humbled to receive these beautiful lilies and a silky otter gift voucher.

31/03/2026

Our Name Has Changed but our Kaupapa Remains the Same

From today the 1st of April, we will be known as
Nelson Tasman Perinatal Support – Charitable Trust

This new name reflects the community we walk alongside and the region we serve, but the heart of our work remains exactly the same. Our Kaupapa of providing safe, compassionate, trauma informed support for mums, pēpi/baby, tamariki/child/ren, and whānau/family is unchanged.

Same team, Same values, Same commitment to holding space for whānau in the perinatal period.

Just a name that better reflects who we are and where we stand.

We are excited for this next chapter and grateful to continue supporting our community under our new name.

29/03/2026

Good Grief I’m a Mum – The Legacy of Motherhood is a free, confidential therapeutic group for mums with children under two.
Explore the emotional layers of motherhood in a safe, supportive space, connect with others, reflect on your journey, and be gently held in your healing. Whether you're a first-time mum or navigating life with multiple tamariki, this group offers eight weeks of guided support with Rachael, a qualified counsellor.

To join or register please click on this link and complete a referral form https://forms.office.com/r/00PYtdV91n.

Or contact Perinatal Support Nelson or Rachael directly.
Come as you are. There’s a place for you here.

17/03/2026

The Big Latch on
Come and join us for our BIG LATCH ON this year at the Greenmeadows Cafe on Friday 27th March at 12.30pm.
This is an annual celebration of infant feeding journeys and an opportunity to connect with fellow whanau in our community.
We have Lactation consultant La Leche League Nelson/Tasman to help and provide any feeding information/support you may need or want to know.

Come and join us for our BIG LATCH ON this year at the Greenmeadows Cafe on Friday 27th March at 12.30pm.
This is an annual celebration of infant feeding journeys and an opportunity to connect with fellow whanau in our community.
We have Lactation consultant La Leche League Nelson/Tasman to help and provide any feeding information/support you may need or want to know.

09/03/2026

Our current Manager is moving on from her role, and we are now seeking someone who can continue this important mahi and lead our team with care and integrity.

We are looking for a Part time Clinical Leader to help guide our perinatal support services across Nelson Tasman.
For more than 30 years, we’ve walked alongside parents experiencing antenatal and postnatal distress — offering in home support, counselling, and therapeutic groups that honour each whānau’s unique journey.

If you are a qualified counsellor, social worker, or health professional with a heart for this mahi, we’d love to hear from you.
We welcome flexible hours and job share arrangements.

Apply if you bring:
• Experience in perinatal or mental health
• Strong admin and communication skills
• Confidence working independently
• Bicultural awareness and commitment to safe practice
• Comfort with basic tech and social media

Help us continue this vital work for whānau in our region.

For more information check out our listing on Trade Me or Seek, or email us at admin@perinatalsupportnelson.org.nz

15/12/2025

Kia ora koutou Nelson Tasman community,
We are excited to share some new ways to connect with us.

For the first time, you can make referrals online using our new referral form.
📱 Message us on WhatsApp (QR code) 028 415 4966
🤝 Make a referral (QR code) https://forms.office.com/r/00PYtdV91n (Click Submit at the end)
🌐 Visit our website (QR code) https://pndnelson.org.nz/
📧 Email or call us directly (contact details below)
hello@perinatalsupportnelson.org.nz | (03) 548 3555 | 028 415 4966

Scan the QR codes below to get started simple, secure, and accessible.

Ngā mihi Rachael

15/12/2025

Kia ora koutou Nelson Tasman community,
Sharing our holiday hours, we will be back in January 2026.

14/12/2025

Kia Ora Koutou Nelson/Tasman Community.

It has been a full and meaningful year for Perinatal Support and our Kaimahi. With a team of 14, 6 contract counsellors and 8 volunteers, we have stood alongside whānau during a 'time of big changes'.

Thank you to all of our community partners and stakeholders for your support, connections and collaboration. It has been a wonderful year of strengthening our community connections and partnership, so we can all work together to provide support for Whānau in the perinatal period.

There are few people we would like to Thank.
Nelson Bays Primary Health for your commitment to Perinatal support Nelson in providing necessary Funding for our organisation.
Tasman District Council - Te Kaunihera o te tai o Aorere
Nelson City Council
Lotteries
Rātā Foundation
The Lion Foundation
Emma Darch
Saxton Field
Top of the South Community Foundation

Your contributions are appreciated, and this allows more Whānau to be supported.

Thank you to PADA - Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Aotearoa for the amazing resources you provide, that we can pass on to whānau. Birth Trauma Aotearoa for your support and advocacy.

Thank you to all of our contract and volunteer counsellors for your amazing Mahi in the Nelson/Tasman community this year, thank you for your time, commitment and dedication.
Contract Counsellors
Jane Brash
Jo Chapple
Emma Wareing
Janey Clark
Christele Gardys.
A special thank you to Jo Hender for her contribution to our community, as she recently resigned from her contract position to focus on other areas of her career.

Volunteer Counsellors
Kim
Janey Clark
Jo Roche
Roz Urquhart
Vikki Pickering
Meseret Hassan
Susan Walker-Tahana
Jennifer Messaoudi
Congratulations to Roz, Vikki, Jo Roche and Meseret in completing your counselling degree.

Thank you to Dawn who is our funding, business, and admin manager, you do an amazing job for Perinatal in applying for and securing funding, grants, donations for our organisation.

Thank you to the Board for standing alongside me in this role, offering both direction and trust. With that support, I am able to represent our organisation and walk alongside our Kaimahi as they care for our community.

Ngā mihi nui
Rachael

Mā mua ka kite a muri, mā muri ka ora a mua
Those who lead give sight to those who follow, those who follow give life to those who lead.

10/12/2025

Kia Ora Koutou

We are deeply grateful to our volunteers and contractors for their dedication, commitment and compassion throughout 2025.

This year we received 172 referrals, the highest volume in six years. By November we had reached capacity and stopped accepting new referrals for this year. Our team have worked so hard and are continuing to work still to support our community. This highlights both the need and the importance of this mahi in our region.

Thank you to all of our community partners, funders and supporters.

Ngā mihi, Rachael

25/11/2025

Eight weeks of sitting together, showing up with courage, and finding healing in places we didn't expect, has been a great end to our groups this year.

Thank you to Seth and Saxton Field for all your amazing help, support organising rooms and finding space for us. It has been a neat working relationship and I look forward to a continued relationship 2026.

Next year, 2026, we take this mahi to Tapawera, a new village, a new chapter and I am excited.

Ngā mihi Rachael

09/11/2025

Ngā mihi nui to Emma Darch, a wonderful Midwife (obstetrics) at Health NZ – Nelson Marlborough, and community champion.

We are deeply grateful to Emma for hosting a quiz night in support of Perinatal Support Nelson, raising over $1000 to uplift maternal mental health in our region.

Your generosity and effort not only raised vital funds, but also helped shine a light on the importance of perinatal wellbeing. Thanks to you, more whānau in our community will receive the support they deserve. 🫶🫄🫶🤱