The Wharf Street lights in downtown Tauranga will be joining a record number of buildings and landmarks across New Zealand today lighting up purple.

November 17 marks World Prematurity Day, a global event recognizing the challenges faced by families of babies born too soon.  

Lighting Up Purple is the seventh year New Zealand has participated in this global campaign which is designed to raise awareness of the 15 million babies born prematurely worldwide each year.

In New Zealand, where over 5,000 babies are born prematurely each year, the Little Miracles Trust is shining a purple spotlight with its annual Neonatal November Campaign.

The Michael Fowler Centre illuminated purple. Photo: Supplied.

More than 60 iconic landmarks across New Zealand will light up in purple to honour the families navigating the often daunting journey through Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) and Special Care Baby Units (SCBU).

Participating landmarks include Auckland’s Eden Park, Wellington’s Bucket Fountain, Nelson’s Cathedral, and Dunedin Airport.

Key campaign highlights include:

• Purple Landmarks: Over 60 sites across the country will glow purple to raise awareness.
• Morning Teas: Hosted in the 23 neonatal units nationwide, offering a chance for connection and community.
• Baker Support: Bakers across New Zealand are donating treats to neonatal and special care units.
• Purple Ribbons: Distributed to parents and staff in every NICU to symbolize solidarity and hope.

The statistics highlight the urgency of the campaign. 

One baby every 90 minutes in New Zealand requires neonatal or special care.

Over 5,000 families face weeks or months of hospital care, often far from home.

The Little Miracles Trust provides vital support, including cot-side peer assistance, emergency care packs, hardship aid, educational resources, and free playgroups with pediatric physiotherapists.

The Toitu Settlers Museum in Dunedin looking great in purple. Photo: Supplied.

As New Zealand’s only charity dedicated exclusively to families of premature and critically ill babies, the Little Miracles Trust plays a crucial role in their journey. Relying entirely on public donations, the Trust raises $500,000 annually to sustain its services, which extend from the neonatal unit to home and beyond.

This World Prematurity Day, New Zealanders are encouraged to wear purple, support local events, and donate to the Little Miracles Trust to ensure no family faces the neonatal journey alone.

Lighting up Purple sites 2024:

Ashburton Clock Tower
Auckland: Eden Park (17th Nov only)
Auckland: Maritime Museum KZ1 boat
Auckland: Westfield Newmarket
Blenheim Clock Tower
Castle Point Lighthouse
Christchurch: Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū
Christchurch: Botanic Gardens
Christchurch: Bridge of Remembrance
Christchurch: Fan Fare sculpture
Christchurch: New Brighton Pier
Christchurch: Vaka a Hina sculpture
Christchurch: Scott Plaza
Christchurch: Ferrier Fountain (17th Nov only)
Dunedin: Otago Boys High
Dunedin: Toitū Otago Settlers Museum (17th Nov only)
Dunedin: Tuhura Otago Museum
Dunedin: Otago University Clock Tower
Dunedin: Railway Station (17th Nov only)
Dunedin: Golden Centre Mall (digi screens)
Dunedin Airport (digi screens)
Dunedin: Speights Brewery Bridge
Foxton Water Tower
Gisborne Clock Tower
Hamilton Airport (digi screens)
Hawera Water Tower
Invercargill: Feldwick Gates, Gala Street Fountain, and the Band Rotunda
Nelson Airport (digi screens)
Nelson: Clock Tower
Nelson: Nelson Cathedral
Nelson: Moller Fountain
Nelson: Trafalgar Street Bridge
Nelson: Suter Art Gallery tree
New Plymouth: Clock Tower
New Plymouth: Airport
Otago: State Highway 1 Southern Motorway Riselaw Road bridge (Lookout Point)
Palmerston North Clock Tower (16th & 17th Nov only)
Rotorua: Redwoods Tree Walk Horoeka Lantern
Rotorua: i-site visitor centre clock tower, Council buildings, Arches at Government Garden
Rotorua: Skyline luge tunnels
Rotorua: Sky Swing towers
Taranaki: Stratford Clock Tower (plus digital notice boards)
Taupo: Welcome sign
Taupo: Airport (digi screens)
Tauranga: Wharf St Lights
Te Aroha Clock Tower
Upper Hutt: Fantail sculpture
Wanaka: Airport (posters)
Wellington: Cable Car
Wellington: Kelburn Park Fountain, Carter Fountain
Wellington: Bascule Bridge, Hikitia Crane and Kina Sculpture – Wellington Waterfront
Wellington Airport (digi screens)
Wellington: Michael Fowler Centre
Wellington East Girls College
Wellington: NTT Tower – Midland Park (17th Nov only)
Wellington Hospital – Childrens Hospital Bridge (17th Nov only)
Whanganui: Royal Whanganui Opera
Whangarei: Victoria Canopy Bridge
Whangarei Airport Gate lights

For more information, visit Little Miracles Trust.