Kiki Van Newtown

Guest writer

Kiki Van Newtown is the parent of two kids, raising them on a diet of hashbrowns, soysages, and feminist discourse in the upper Lower Hutt. Kiki performs with her partner Jason in their band Giantess.

(Image: Tina Tiller. Photo supplied.)

On isolation and connection when parenting a medically fragile child

What did the Covid pandemic teach us? And what is life like for those who can't just go 'back to normal'?

By Kiki Van Newtown | 23rd November, 2023

Photo: Getty Images

Our maternity sector is at crisis point

And it's a crisis that's been decades in the making.

By Kiki Van Newtown | 25th February, 2021

Passengers in the arrivals concourse at Heathrow airport in London. (Photo by Steve Parsons/PA Images via Getty Images)

The real plague is racism: Why I refuse to give into xenophobia over coronavirus

As the mother of an immunocompromised child, Kiki Van Newton has more excuse than most to worry about the coronavirus outbreak. But racist reactions – and panicked border closures – aren't the answer.

By Kiki Van Newtown | 4th February, 2020

HEX with Martina Brito (centre) in Lancaster CA (PHOTO: SUPPLIED)

Hex on tour, episode 1: The NZ music community of Northern California

In the first of a three-part tour diary on their way to SXSW, Wellington band Hex arrive in California to find a New Zealand community halfway around the globe.

By Kiki Van Newtown | 14th March, 2018

What it’s like to grow up poor in New Zealand

What it’s like to grow up poor in New Zealand

You learn about people’s values quickly when you’re poor. You learn a lot about yourself too.

By Kiki Van Newtown | 8th August, 2017

How to support a child who needs a blood test, by a parent who knows

How to support a child who needs a blood test, by a parent who knows

There's no getting around it – blood tests suck, especially for confused and scared children (and their upset parents). Paediatric blood test veteran Kiki Van Newtown shares some advice for getting through the procedure with the minimum of tears.

By Kiki Van Newtown | 30th November, 2016

Born being brave: My unexpected journey as a parent

Born being brave: My unexpected journey as a parent

Over the next couple of weeks we'll be introducing you to contributors to The Spinoff Parents, our new parenting blog edited by Emily Writes and made possible by Flick Electric Co. Today Kiki Van-Newton explains how her rock 'n roll lifestyle was turned upside down by the birth of her first child.

By Kiki Van Newtown | 3rd October, 2016