Our Work

Little Miracles Trust teams are embedded in all six of New Zealand’s NICU. These Family Support Coordinators are there for whānau to lean on during a traumatic time. Most of our team are former-NICU/SCBU parents, so they are the perfect listening ear or shoulder to cry on. In addition, we offer items such as breast pumps for hire and sale: essential items to help whānau during a tough time, such as prem clothing and nappies, lactation aids and lots of beautiful woollen goods – all handmade with love by our amazing army of volunteers.

“Just wanted to say a big thank you for organising this group, we’ve really enjoyed it and nice chatting to other people and hearing their experiences. It’s been great to have a different space from home to go where I can just let the girls loose and not have to worry!”

Each year we supply more than 4,000 emergency care packs to Aotearoa’s 23 neonatal units: one for to each whānau who has a baby admitted to a unit. These iconic purple packs are carefully curated. They are made up of practical yet thoughtful items which will be of use during the whānau journey.

“I take my wee purple bag everywhere for my son’s tubie bits and pieces. I cannot count the amount of times that little purple bag has helped to strike up a conversation and connected me with other NICU mums”

One of our most enduring support events, these sessions provide an opportunity for Mums and Dads with babies in the unit to meet and connect during an anxious and isolating time. It’s an opportunity for a little respite and connection. It’s also a place where our Family Support Coordinators can provide information, support and answer any questions. Parents develop support networks with other parents, which helps with life outside of the unit.

“This really helped me to step away for even just an hour when I was in SCBU with my boy recently… Plus the kōrero was super helpful & put me at ease. The sweet treats were pretty awesome too. Jess is amazing”

Many of the families supported by the Little Miracles Trust spend weeks or even months in neonatal units – often hundreds of kilometres away from home and their support networks.

Launched in 2024, this is made possible through the generous support of our partner Woolworths New Zealand, along with many other kind donors, the Family Assistance Fund helps ease some of the financial pressure by providing Woolworths vouchers to families facing the challenges of a NICU or SCBU stay across Aotearoa.

“It was such a blessing during our unexpected challenging time. It definitely helped us to buy baby items and save money for two weeks. Thank you for being amazing and doing a wonderful service “

Returning home with a baby that was premature or sick can have demands over and above a full-term healthy newborn, so parents who have had a NICU or SCBU experience often need different forms of support once they return home. They’ve gone from a busy hospital ward environment to being at home on their own. They’re at greater risk of suffering from depression, anxiety or even PTSD. They may not have had the opportunity to join an antenatal group. Or have a baby that is infection-prone or still needs additional medical support. The Little Miracles Trust national network of developmental playgroups is unique as they are facilitated either by an Occupational Therapist or a Physiotherapist who is there to talk about baby’s development milestones and give advice in an environment that is designed for specially for neonatal whānau and understands the challenges.

“Such a great playgroup!”

We know how hard it is to be in intensive care with your baby and this can be felt even more on days like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Christmas Day. Our team works closely with our partners to put together some thoughtful gifts for Mum, Dad or the family to be ready by baby’s bedside when they visit on that special day.

“We ended up spending 19 days in SCBU with Jasper, which included Christmas Day. We did not expect the amazing, kind and useful presents from Little Miracles at all, and it made the hugest difference to what was a pretty grim day for us. I was absolutely blown away and in tears. Such unexpected generosity at such a vulnerable time… I’ll remember that forever.”

We’re all about celebrating how well a baby is doing during their time in a unit, so each family receives a set of beautiful bilingual milestone cards funded by our friends at Huggies, to help them keep a visual diary of important days like when their baby hits the 1kg mark or goes tube free!

Plus, we have a special ‘100 Day’ certificate and bunting for those little ones who reach up to 100 days in hospital. And, as each family takes their baby home, we supply graduation certificates to present to each whānau on discharge and there’s a special selfie frame to capture that magical moment too.

“Receiving your thoughtful gift pack today brought a tear to our eyes. It was truly heartwarming to see the care and consideration put into every detail, including the te reo Māori milestone cards, which deeply resonate with our values and culture. Your kindness has brought a ray of light into our lives during a time of uncertainty, and for that, we are forever grateful.”

We know how important a calm and supportive environment is for families in neonatal care. NICU and SCBU can be overwhelming, so even small improvements can make a big difference to a family’s experience.

We work closely with generous funders and supporters to provide items and upgrades that enhance comfort and emotional wellbeing – from recliner chairs for kangaroo cuddles and breast pumps to support feeding, to soothing artwork, privacy screens, and specially designed spaces like the Maanaki Room. These contributions help reduce stress, encourage bonding, and support mental health during what is often a challenging and uncertain time. Together, we’re helping to make neonatal units more than just clinical spaces but places of connection, care, and hope.

“Thank you so much for granting us the six breast feeding pillows. They have been so well received and well utilised. Many thanks once again from all of us in Hawkes Bay”

Our website is a hub of support and information to guide you through your neonatal journey. You’ll find a wealth of resources, from personal family stories and helpful resources to podcasts that share honest insights and lived experiences. Whether you’re currently in a neonatal unit, preparing to go home, or navigating life after neonatal care, we’re here to help you feel informed, supported, and less alone.

“The resources, care, and encouragement you offer help turn overwhelming times into something a little more manageable, and we’re so grateful for the work you do. It means the world to families in neonatal care to know they’re not alone, and you make sure of that every single day”

Supporting the dedicated multidisciplinary staff we work alongside in neonatal units is a vital part of our mission. The Little Miracles Trust has funded opportunities for nurses and other team members to attend training and conferences, and we actively contribute to a range of unit-led education and development days.

We also help bridge the gap between families and research by sharing invitations to participate in important studies. Members of our team regularly provide lived experience insights to projects that shape guidelines and initiatives – all aimed at improving outcomes for future babies and their whānau.