Other meanings of Plunket Society
Health & Welfare
The Plunket Society, formally the Royal New Zealand Plunket Trust, is a New Zealand child health organisation founded in 1907 by Sir Truby King and a group of women concerned about infant mortality. It provides well-child health services, parenting education, and support to families, and is renowned for its network of Plunket nurses and clinics.
The Plunket Society was founded in 1907 in Dunedin, New Zealand, by Sir Frederic Truby King, a physician and public health reformer, and a group of prominent women including Dr. Agnes Bennett and Mrs. Mary King. The society was named after Lady Victoria Plunket, wife of the then-Governor, who became its first patron. The impetus was the high infant mortality rate in New Zealand, which in the early 1900s was around 80 per 1,000 live births. Truby King's approach emphasised breastfeeding, regular feeding schedules, and strict hygiene, which he promoted through a network of nurses and educational materials. The first Plunket nurse was appointed in 1908, and the society quickly expanded, establishing clinics and home-visiting services across the country.
Plunket's core service is the provision of well-child health checks, developmental assessments, and immunisation support, delivered by registered nurses with specialised training in child health. The society's philosophy, rooted in Truby King's principles, has evolved to incorporate contemporary evidence-based practice, but still emphasises breastfeeding, safe sleep, and positive parenting. Plunket nurses offer home visits, clinic consultations, and telephone advice lines, and they work closely with general practitioners and other health providers. The society also runs parenting courses and community groups, such as PlunketPlay, which provide social support and early childhood education. In recent decades, Plunket has shifted towards a more family-centred approach, recognising diverse family structures and cultural practices.
Plunket is a non-governmental organisation, but it receives significant government funding through contracts with the Ministry of Health. It operates as a national body with regional offices and a network of volunteer committees. The society's governance includes a national board and a chief executive, with local branches contributing to fundraising and community engagement. Historically, Plunket relied heavily on voluntary donations and fundraising, but today the majority of its funding comes from government contracts for specific services, such as the Well Child Tamariki Ora programme.1 The society also generates income through its retail shops and the sale of parenting resources. In 2018, Plunket became a registered charity, and it continues to rely on volunteers for many of its community activities.
The Plunket Society has had a profound impact on child health in New Zealand. Its early campaigns contributed to a dramatic decline in infant mortality, from 80 per 1,000 in 1907 to under 20 by the 1930s.2 Plunket's model of well-child care has been influential internationally, with similar societies established in Australia and the United Kingdom. The society's name has become synonymous with child health in New Zealand, and its nurses are widely respected. Plunket's legacy also includes the promotion of breastfeeding and the development of the 'Plunket baby' ideal, which has shaped cultural attitudes towards child-rearing. Today, Plunket continues to adapt to changing needs, including increased support for Māori and Pacific families, and it remains a cornerstone of New Zealand's child health system.
Beyond its well-known services, Plunket has several lesser-known facets. The society was a pioneer in the use of car safety seats, launching a rental scheme in the 1970s that made them accessible to families.3 It also played a role in the development of the 'Plunket line', a telephone advice service that predates modern telehealth. Truby King's methods were controversial, particularly his strict feeding schedules, which were later criticised by paediatricians. Plunket has also been involved in research, including the landmark Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study, which has followed over 1,000 children born in 1972-73. The society's archives, held at the Alexander Turnbull Library, contain a rich collection of photographs and records documenting New Zealand's social history. Additionally, Plunket's volunteer network has included notable figures, such as writer Katherine Mansfield, who was a member of the Wellington branch.
The Plunket Society is a registered charity and relies on government funding and community support.
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