Key publications and information

This book published by the Ministry of Health is given to all new parents to support their pepe’s growth, development and immunisations. It includes health education and emergency first aid advice.

Parents and whānau often put photos or write about their baby and the Well Child Tamaraki Ora (WCTO) team records observations and assessments to show progress and other health information especially relevant to their baby.

Find more information about Well Child Tamariki Ora visits

Order copies of WCTO Parent-held WCTO Health Book

This resource from the Ministry of Health clarifies the roles and expectations of providers, referral pathways, and national protocols for delivering WCTO services and provides information to support families with high or complex needs.

WCTO practitioner handbook (pdf, 2.8MB)

This resource describes the WCTO services. The Schedule outlines the 12 core visits delivered as part of the Well / Child Tamariki Ora Programme to protect and improve health outcomes for New Zealand children, from birth to 5 years.

Information about the WCTO national schedule 2013

Guidelines from the Ministry on family violence assessment and intervention.

Information about family violence guidelines

The Code of Practice for Health Workers aims to contribute to health settings which protect, promote and support breastfeeding whilst encouraging health workers to provide adequate and unbiased information about the proper use of breast-milk substitutes (infant and/or follow-on formula).

Information about the code of practice for health workers

These reports are published every six months and are based on data collected from the WCTO sector (both Tamariki Ora and Plunket).

Find more information about the WCTO quality improvement framework report

In 2019, the Ministry began a process to review the Well Child Tamariki Ora programme to ensure it was delivering the best possible outcomes it could for all tamariki and their whānau. The review was commissioned as part of the health and disability sector’s response to the Government’s 2019 Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy and sought to analyse the programme’s sustainability and equity.

Information about the WCTO review report 2021

Intuto is an online learning platform developed by Whānau Āwhina Plunket to support WCTO nurses in their mahi prior to, and while they are undertaking the Postgraduate Certificate in Primary Health Care. Each course is called a ‘collection’ and is made up of three parts. As you complete each ‘collection’, in the correct order (introduction, presentation and feedback), you will gain a printable certificate. Courses can be repeated to reinforce learning.

Intuto includes 49 courses based on a range of topics from breastfeeding to family violence, smoke free facilitation, infant and child development and more.

Accessing Intuto:

• Please contact your WCTO Team leader/Manager to access the registration link and information to access Intuto.

Standards and guidelines for nurses include:

• Code of conduct standards and guidelines
• Scope of practice competencies and guidelines
• Guidelines for practice (including Guideline - Delegation of care by a registered nurse to a health care assistant)
• Guidelines for Cultural Safety, Te Tiriti O Waitangi, and Māori Health
• NZ Nursing Council - position statements

Information about standards and guidelines for nurses

This statement outlines NZNO’s position on the use of unregulated health care workers in Aotearoa New Zealand.

NZNO’s position on the use of unregulated health care workers in Aotearoa New Zealand 2011 (PDF, 362KB)

Guidance for Paediatric Health Professionals including clinical guidelines, research and videos via the Starship Hospital website.

Information about guidance for paediatric health professionals

Information about child health publications