News

Announcements and updates from the Listening to Families team.

Bullying Topic Release

New Listening to Families conversation explores bullying

What is bullying? Why do people bully others? Why don't children always tell when they're being bullied? And what can parents and caregivers do when a child says they are being bullied?

Bullying is an important issue for children, young people and families. It can have significant effects and leave families unsure about what to do or where to turn for support.

Listening to Families has brought together a local parent and people working across child and adolescent mental health, psychology, education, family support and youth policing to explore some of the questions families may have about bullying.

The conversation is facilitated by Erin-Kate, a local parent, and includes Uri Guy, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Katie Hoek, Child and Family Psychologist, Greg Jansen, Restorative Schools, Liz Riley, Mana Ake, and Dee Smith, Youth Aid Officer with NZ Police.

Together, they explore six key questions:

● What is bullying?

● Why do people bully others?

● What are the short and long term impacts of bullying?

● Why don't kids always tell?

● How does bullying present in the online world?

● My child has come home and said they are being bullied. What should I do?

Watch the full series on our Website or YouTube channel:

Website: www.listeningtofamilies.co.nz/bullying/bullying

YouTube: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWD_pcUisYuE&si=6IB5mHKYsOc8s9kn

Or listen to it as a podcast:

Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/2lfBb83RECdaoz1hNo0iuj?si=RkIrcgptQEmOLZeLqGASPA

Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bullying/id1813772763?i=1000789384481

Kidsfirst Kindergartens

The Listening to Families team have been working with Kidsfirst Kindergartens. On 16 April the team met with the 65 Head Teachers from across Canterbury, Central Otago, and the West Coast.

The Head Teachers identified a number of topics that were of concern to the families attending their kindergartens. The Listening to Families team will produce videos and podcasts on the top five topics over the balance of 2026. The topics are:

  • Toileting (under 5's)
  • Self-regulation
  • Big emotions
  • Oral language development
  • Sleep

Table talkers, cards and posters

Increasing awareness of the Listening to Families videos and podcasts is a key objective for the team. Table talkers, cards, and posters have been developed and are available for anyone keen to help raise awareness of Listening to Families.

These materials have been provided to each of the 65 kindergartens. You can download the poster using the link below.

A Listening to Families table talker in a clear acrylic stand on a table, next to a holder of pull-out cards. The sign reads 'Families have questions. We have real answers.'
Download the poster