Explores new parents' sense of belonging through journeying their local geographies.

Journeying is a multifaceted, transformative process affecting new parents' sense of belonging.

Emphasises everyday spaces and encounters with the more-than-human during parents' journeying.

New parents' mobilities can co-create health via embodied and lived experiences.

Supportive (sub)urban spaces are crucial for new parents venturing outside.

The transition to parenthood is a transformative journey marked by numerous adjustments, presenting both physical and mental health challenges. Recognising the crucial role of a sense of belonging for parental health in this transition, this study delves into the experiences of new parents, exploring the act of “journeying” within their local geographies. Through analysis of an online survey among new parents in suburban Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand, this study highlights the multifaceted role of journeying, not only as physical movement but as a slow-creeping transformative process that affects connections with local environments, people, and places, highlighting the importance of local geographies in new parents’ journey towards belonging.

Journeying

Health geographies

Sense of belonging

Wellbeing

New parenthood

© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.