Being Real Parents

Becoming a parent prompted Hannah McKnight to explore what reclaiming her Māori identity could mean for her and her whānau. In this kōrero with Anna, Hannah shares her journey of reindigenising her world and recognising the value of her culture in her whānau life. A personal kōrero about identity, belonging and what we hope to pass on to our tamariki, with space to consider how becoming a parent can lead us back to questions about who we are and what matters to us.

Anna and Jason Tiatia unpack the confusion around gentle parenting and the research behind it, exploring warmth alongside clear boundaries and expectations. They connect these ideas with the research which, calls this auhroritative or democratic parenting, or the rākau (tree) approach. Through everyday examples with tamariki aged 0–5, they explore what this can sound like when children say no, feelings run high and parents are tired.

Join Kate and Keryn from Brainwave Trust as they explore how ordinary, day-to-day moments are powerful opportunities to support the development of tamariki aged 0-5 years. In this episode, they discuss why the early years truly matter while reminding us that perfect parenting doesn’t exist. Hear how simple activities like talking, playing, and even hanging out the washing can help young tamariki brains grow and develop.

What helps when life changes in ways we never wanted or expected? Dr Lucy Hone joins Anna for a deeply human kōrero about her new book, How Will I Ever Get Through This? Together they explore grief beyond bereavement, the losses we don’t always recognise, and practical, research-backed ways to navigate change and uncertainty. Anna didn’t realise how much she needed this book until she read it for this interview. You may discover that you need it too.

Have you ever wondered whether fostering could be for you? Diana Hamilton from Key Assets explains how the process works, what fostering can look and feel like, and the support available along the way. We talk honestly about the challenges, the rewards, and the many different people who can make brilliant foster carers. An encouraging first listen for anyone curious about opening their home, supporting tamariki and giving something meaningful back.

Want to move your body but don’t know where to begin? Lisa Fong, founder of Move it Mama, joins Anna for an honest, inspiring kōrero about exercise in the reality of parenting. Lisa shares how to start when you’re busy, tired or completely new to movement, why small steps count, and how exercise can support your energy, confidence and wellbeing. An encouraging episode for every parent who thinks fitness might not be for them.

As parenting evolves, so does the advice. In this episode, Kate and Anna unpack some of the strategies they no longer use, including ignoring emotional meltdowns, teaching emotional literacy in isolation, and expecting children to regulate emotions before they're developmentally ready. They explore what current research tells us, what they've learned from working alongside families, and what they choose to do differently today.

In this episode, we're joined by Phil Clarke from the IHC Library to explore the wide range of resources available to support people with disabilities, their whānau, and the professionals who work alongside them.

Whether you're supporting a child, a young person, or an adult, this conversation highlights how the IHC Library can help connect you with trusted information.

Tune in to discover how the IHC Library is making knowledge more accessible.

Communication is about much more than words. In this episode, Anna talks with Keryn O'Neill from Brainwave Trust Aotearoa about how our children's communication and language skills develop, why connection matters, and what parents can do to support communication at home. Together they explore brain development, relationships, listening, conversation, and practical ways to help children feel heard, understood and confident communicating.

Kate speaks with Nikki Bould, an FDR mediator and a divorce coach from The Helpful Human. Together we explore how parents can navigate separation while keeping their tamariki needs at the centre of care arrangements. We kōrero around supporting our tamariki with transitions between homes, trying to maintain consistency through communicating the best way we can. This episode offers compassionate and real guidance that supports parents through this challenging time.