Real Impact

Hear whānau and kaimahi speak to the true impact of Family Start and why it's so important.

Family Start operates at scale across Aotearoa, delivered by 43 trusted community providers supporting whānau facing complex and overlapping challenges. It forms part of a wider prevention system currently spanning 1,800 services and 810 contracts, reflecting the breadth of early support required across communities.Its strength lies in sustained, relationship-based support, working alongside whānau over time to build parenting capability, improve stability, and connect families to the services they need. By intervening early, Family Start reduces the likelihood of more intensive interventions later, including involvement with the child protection system.The long-term impact of this approach is significant. Evidence shows that for every $1 million invested, early intervention programmes like Family Start can generate between $7 million and $13 million in long-term benefits, including reductions in infant mortality (up to 42% in the first year), increased immunisation and education participation, and lower rates of abuse, crime, and long-term welfare dependency.This prevention is core infrastructure that strengthens whānau, improves outcomes for tamariki, and reduces pressure on the wider system over time.

Share your story

If you’ve experienced Family Start as a whānau member, kaimahi, or partner — your voice matters.Real stories and perspectives help show the impact of early support, strengthen understanding of what works, and ensure decisions are informed by those closest to the work.Help us protect Family Start and our tamariki.