Starship is New Zealand’s national children’s hospital, providing life-saving care and specialist treatment to thousands of young patients every year. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Starship supports newborns who are born prematurely, critically ill, or with complex medical conditions.
Many babies in NICU spend the first weeks, sometimes months, of their lives surrounded by machines and expert care teams. During this time, Starship also provides wraparound support for whānau, helping them navigate one of the most stressful and emotional experiences of their lives.
The Starship Foundation plays a key role in funding life-saving equipment, research, facilities, and family support services that aren’t always covered by government funding. Through this, they help ensure that every baby and family receives the best possible start, no matter their circumstances.
How We Support Them
We’re proud to partner with Starship’s NICU by donating six pram bundles every year. These include a Pram, Capsule, Base, and Carry Cot; essential items that many families urgently need, especially when it's time to finally take their little one home.
In addition, we support the ward through fundraising raffles, product donations, and by contributing extra gear whenever it’s needed.
Why this Matters
Some families arrive at NICU unprepared, both emotionally and practically. By providing safe transport solutions and helping lighten the financial load, we aim to make a small but meaningful difference during a really challenging time.
I Have A Dream
I Have A Dream is a long-term educational and mentoring program that works with children and young people from under-resourced communities across Aotearoa. Unlike short-term interventions, their model is unique in that it provides support for 15+ years, starting from Year 1 at primary school, and continuing through to tertiary education or employment.
Each child in the programme is assigned a full-time "Navigator", who walks alongside them and their whānau to build trusted relationships, help set goals, overcome challenges, and celebrate wins. The charity also offers academic support, life skills development, career exposure, and access to cultural and sporting opportunities, all of which contribute to growing confident, capable young adults.
Operating in places like Tikipunga and Otangarei in Northland, I Have A Dream is breaking cycles of disadvantage by investing in the potential of tamariki and rangatahi, one child at a time.
How We Support Them
Each year, we contribute a $5,000 donation to support I Have A Dream’s ongoing programmes and wraparound support services.
Why this Matters
We believe every child should have the opportunity to dream big — and the support to get there. Backing this kaupapa means investing in the next generation and helping level the playing field for kids who deserve every chance.
Nurturing Families
Nurturing Families is a charitable trust focused on supporting families and caregivers experiencing hardship throughout Aotearoa. Their goal is simple: to ensure that no baby or child goes without the essentials, and no parent or caregiver feels alone in their journey.
Working directly with social workers, midwives, and community agencies, Nurturing Families provides free baby gear, clothing, nappies, hygiene items, and other essentials to families in need. Many of the people they help are fleeing domestic violence, facing homelessness, or navigating extreme financial stress.
Their support goes far beyond just physical items; they also run community drives, coordinate volunteer efforts, and collaborate with other services to wrap care around vulnerable whānau. With a strong values-led approach, they work to restore dignity, hope, and connection where it's needed most.
How We Support Them
We donate nine pram bundles per year (including a Pram, Capsule, Base and Carry Cot), which are gifted to families who need them most.
Beyond the bundles, we also contribute to fundraising initiatives, awareness campaigns, and provide additional products on an ongoing basis.
Why this Matters
We know the early days of parenthood can be overwhelming, even more so when resources are limited. By helping families access safe, high-quality baby essentials, we’re helping parents focus on what matters most: their babies.
Kupega o Moana
Kupega o Moana is a Pasifika-led charitable organisation in Aotearoa New Zealand, dedicated to supporting Pasifika families (whānau) and young children in the early years.
They provide a range of programmes such as:
Antenatal and postnatal support for Pasifika mums, partners and caregivers.
Parenting courses and workshops for Pasifika parents of children aged 0-5, including their “Pasifika Shining Lights” programme which focuses on mental wellness and resilience.
Men’s support through their “Roots” programme, offering culturally safe spaces for Pasifika fathers.
Home-visiting support services (“Fale Māfāna”) that nurture mothers’ emotional wellbeing and support families in the early stages of their child's life.
A focus on culturally competent care and services led by and for Pasifika communities.
How We Support Them
We provide product to help them support families in the community in need of baby products.
Why this matters
The early years of a child’s life are critical for development, and Kupega o Moana’s culturally tailored support helps address specific needs in Pasifika communities, including mental health, parenting confidence, and whānau wellbeing. By combining education, advocacy and direct support, they contribute to healthier, stronger families and communities.
Petal Foundation
The Petal Foundation provides a safe, loving and specialist haven for newborns who are entering the world under the hardest of circumstances, whether their mother needs respite, a baby requires transitional care, or a whānau needs stabilisation support. The work matters because the earliest life-experiences shape not just a baby’s immediate wellbeing but their long-term emotional, neurological and physical health. Edwards & Co is proud to support the Foundation by donating baby-gear essentials and offering access to trusted prams and carry-cots for families emerging from Petal’s care. By partnering in this way, Edwards & Co helps ensure that every baby has the comfort, safety and equipment to thrive from day one.
How we support them
Edwards & Co provides products to help support the Petal Foundation in their work.
Why this matters
Early trauma, neglect or lack of attachment can have profound long-term effects: on mental health, cognition, social relationships and physical wellbeing. The Foundation cites major research making this clear.
By providing a safe, stable, nurturing environment in those early days, whether a few hours, days or months, Petal helps break the cycle of disadvantage and supports healthier developmental trajectories.
Their culturally-sensitive approach, partnerships with other agencies (such as social services, whānau support organisations), and commitment to holistic care (physical, emotional, spiritual) mean they serve the baby and the whānau around them.
