The enduring effects of colonisation have disrupted Māori women's roles and mātauranga Māori practices, significantly impacting birthing and parenting customs. Settler colonial policies, such as the Tohunga Suppression Act 1907, criminalised Māori cultural practices, fragmenting mātauranga Māori related to childbirth and parenting. Consequently, these practices were lost, and many Māori women adopted colonial practices, often to their detriment, perpetuating systemic inequities in maternity care. Today, Māori women continue to experience disproportionately negative health outcomes due to systemic racism, limited access to culturally appropriate services, and a shortage of Māori midwives.

Despite these challenges, Māori health providers remain committed to addressing inequities through kaupapa Māori initiatives. This presentation highlights the work of Raukura Hauora o Tainui, a kaupapa Māori health provider, in developing and implementing the Kahu Taurima project. Funded by the New Zealand government, this initiative offers holistic care for hapū māmā and pēpi from conception through the first 2,000 days of a child’s life.

When the closure of the local birthing centre was announced in 2023, Raukura Hauora o Tainui sought to preserve and adapt the facility to support traditional birthing practices and prevent further loss of midwifery services in the community. The organisation persevered by acquiring the building, they transformed the building into a māma and pēpi respite hub, offering kaupapa Māori and accessible care. Integrated services include rongoā Māori, hapū wānanga, midwifery, tamariki ora services, and respite care for māmā, all delivered within the Aronui building in Huntly, formerly a birthing facility.

This presentation shares the challenges, successes, and transformational impact of a kaupapa Māori approach to maternity care. It demonstrates how culturally grounded practices can address inequities, improve health outcomes, and support the wellbeing of Māori hapū māmā, pēpi, and whānau.

Three Key Learnings:
1. Impact of Colonisation on Māori Maternity Practices
2. Current Challenges in Māori Maternity Care
3. Kaupapa Māori Initiatives for Addressing Inequities through our own Matauranga Maaori.

The enduring effects of colonisation have disrupted Māori women's roles and mātauranga Māori practices, significantly impacting birthing and parenting customs. Settler colonial policies, such as the Tohunga Suppression Act 1907, criminalised Māori cultural practices, fragmenting mātauranga Māori related to childbirth and parenting. Consequently, these practices were lost, and many Māori women adopted colonial practices, often to their detriment, perpetuating systemic inequities in maternity care. Today, Māori women continue to experience disproportionately negative health outcomes due to systemic racism, limited access to culturally appropriate services, and a shortage of Māori midwives.

Despite these challenges, Māori health providers remain committed to addressing inequities through kaupapa Māori initiatives. This presentation highlights the work of Raukura Hauora o Tainui, a kaupapa Māori health provider, in developing and implementing the Kahu Taurima project. Funded by the New Zealand government, this initiative offers holistic care for hapū māmā and pēpi from conception through the first 2,000 days of a child’s life.

When the closure of the local birthing centre was announced in 2023, Raukura Hauora o Tainui sought to preserve and adapt the facility to support traditional birthing practices and prevent further loss of midwifery services in the community. The organisation persevered by acquiring the building, they transformed the building into a māma and pēpi respite hub, offering kaupapa Māori and accessible care. Integrated services include rongoā Māori, hapū wānanga, midwifery, tamariki ora services, and respite care for māmā, all delivered within the Aronui building in Huntly, formerly a birthing facility.

This presentation shares the challenges, successes, and transformational impact of a kaupapa Māori approach to maternity care. It demonstrates how culturally grounded practices can address inequities, improve health outcomes, and support the wellbeing of Māori hapū māmā, pēpi, and whānau.

Three Key Learnings:
1. Impact of Colonisation on Māori Maternity Practices
2. Current Challenges in Māori Maternity Care
3. Kaupapa Māori Initiatives for Addressing Inequities through our own Matauranga Maaori.