Plunket has become a household name since its 1907 inception and Wairarapa branch members are celebrating history at the centenary conference in Dunedin this week.
The conference gave people a chance to get together to share their stories and included talks by guest speakers.
Monday, Plunket's official birthday, was marked with an
official cake cutting and dinner.
Wairarapa branch president Margaret Bourke said the conference has been inspirational for the local attendees who have included volunteers, the operations manager, clinical leaders, all Plunket nurses and the Karitane nurse.
"We are all energetic and enthused and keen to get back and implement some of the ideas in our own areas," she said.
Mrs Bourke is one of four life members from the region at the event, where she said five of the Wairarapa's seven sub branches are represented ? Masterton central and the sub branches of Lansdowne, Carterton, Greytown and Martinborough.
"It's amazing, there are 1500 people here from all around the country. We have people (here) who are very new to Plunket and we have people that have been here for 50 years or more."
She said the importance of the organisation is an important part of the "fabric of New Zealand society".
"Ninety-two per cent of all New Zealand babies are seen by Plunket nurses and for 100 years Plunket has been offering its services to babies and mothers and families throughout New Zealand.
"They have changed and adapted and provided different services as they've been needed."
She said the Wairarapa branches and sub branches offer clinics, visits by Plunket, Karitane and Kaiawhina nurses, the PlunketLine telephone service and the car seat rental scheme.
Royal New Zealand Plunket Society national president Kaye Crowther said Sir Truby King, who founded the first clinic in Dunedin 100 years ago, would have been pleased to see the development of his organisation.
"What would have saddened him is that the need for such an organisation is as crucial and relevant today as it was 100 years ago. Parenting is indeed a joyous but often difficult task," she said.
"Plunket will never give up, whatever societal changes are thrown at us, we will continue to advocate for families and work extremely hard to 'give every child the best start in life'."
