Unity says Kia ora!
Things don't always go smoothly — in life or in a country. What matters is knowing that help exists, knowing how to ask for it, and knowing that speaking up is always the right thing to do.
📖 When things go wrong story
Read this story together.
It covers some serious ideas — but all of them are things every child should know. Take your time and check in with each other as you go.
Unity was walking through a neighbourhood one afternoon when she noticed a young bird sitting alone on a fence, looking worried.
"Are you okay?" Unity asked.
The bird shook her head. "Something happened. But I don't know if I'm allowed to say anything."
"You are always allowed to say something," said Unity gently. "That is one of the most important things to know."
Things go wrong sometimes — in families, in schools, in communities, in the country. Someone gets hurt. Someone behaves badly. Someone needs help and doesn't know how to ask. These things happen, and they are not the fault of the person who is struggling.
New Zealand has systems in place to help when things go wrong. If someone is in immediate danger, you call 111 — and the police, ambulance, or fire service will come. If a child is being hurt or is unsafe, there are people whose whole job is to help — social workers, school counsellors, teachers, and others who are trained to listen and to act.
Speaking up is not dobbing someone in. Speaking up is how problems get fixed. A problem that stays secret usually gets worse. A problem that gets spoken about can be helped.
If something feels wrong — at home, at school, or anywhere — you are allowed to tell a trusted adult. You are allowed to ask for help. You are allowed to say: this is not okay.
Unity put a wing around the young bird. "You don't have to carry it alone," she said. "That's what our community is for."
💬Talk and think
Questions to explore together.
This is one of the most important conversations you can have as a family. Go slowly. Make sure every child knows the answers to questions two and three before you finish.
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What does it mean to be a trusted adult? Who are the trusted adults in your life?
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If something felt wrong or unsafe, what would you do — and who would you tell?
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Why do you think some people find it hard to ask for help, even when they really need it?
🔍Explore more
Things worth knowing.
Read through these facts together. The numbers and services here are worth knowing — not to scare anyone, but so everyone feels prepared and supported.
Emergency number
111 — police, fire, and ambulance. Use it when someone is in danger
Oranga Tamariki
New Zealand's agency for children — helps keep tamariki safe and supported
Speaking up
It is always okay to tell a trusted adult if something feels wrong
Need to talk?
1737 — free call or text, any time, to talk with a trained counsellor
School support
Every school has people trained to help — counsellors, deans, and teachers
You are not alone
New Zealand has services to help families, children, and individuals in need
🤝Make a family safety plan
Do it together.
This is a practical activity that every family should do. Keep it calm and matter of fact — the goal is confidence, not worry.
Together, write down three things every person in your family should know:
First — who are your trusted adults? Name at least three people outside your immediate family that any child in your home could go to if they needed help.
Second — what is your emergency plan? Where do you meet if something goes wrong at home? What is the first number you call?
Third — what is your family's open-door rule? Make it clear that anyone can speak up about anything, without getting in trouble for saying it. Say it out loud together: "In our family, it is always okay to ask for help."
