When it comes to Hapūtanga (pregnancy and childbirth), our current system is inconsistent and often fails to meet the needs of our whānau Māori. In our rohe, 50% of babies born are Māori, with a significant number being first-time māmā under the age of 25, living in low socioeconomic communities. This creates unique challenges in accessing and navigating maternity services.
Access to maternity services is limited, particularly for Māori who often feel they have only one option available. Historical poor treatment of previous generations has resulted in intergenerational trauma, affecting the ability of whānau to trust the health systems. When pēpi (babies) are born into environments with high levels of stress and risk, their brain development can be significantly impacted, leading to long-term physical and mental health issues. Postnatal depression is rarely discussed, further compounding these challenges.
The Hapū Māmā Village addresses these issues by creating a supportive environment for māmā to share their experiences and receive the help they need. This village has been instrumental in identifying the lack of postnatal depression awareness and the daunting experience many māmā face when they are discharged quickly without adequate support at home.
“I remember being told to go in, you go and have your pēpi and you leave, you’ve got to leave within like three days. For some of our whānau, that's so daunting that they kind of have to go home with a new pēpi and may not have the support at home.” Jamie Proctor, Mātaiawa (General Manager) Te Waipuna Health Centre, Te Oranganui Trust
To create a system that truly serves our people, services must be consistent and whānau-centred. Currently, there is low engagement with midwives and antenatal education due to systemic challenges and a service model that prioritises organisational convenience over whānau needs. Our whānau prefer to walk this journey with Māori, yet the existing system does not align with their values or allow them to design their Hapūtanga journey.
“Resourcing is a big issue within our community workforce, but also because of the lack of trust in our health system and with health professionals, whānau don't come forward and because of that they're left, for quite some time before anybody has kind of like picked up that they need additional support.” Jamie Proctor, Mātaiawa (General Manager) Te Waipuna Health Centre, Te Oranganui Trust
Māori are committed to thinking generations ahead, knowing their actions today affect their mokopuna and future generations. The Hapūtanga Innovation Hub and Wānanga offer māmā and whānau the opportunity to contribute to designing a maternity care model that reflects their needs and values.
“We discovered that there were several systemic challenges that were holding persistent problems in place. I think a lot of the time we think about bricks and mortar. We're here, we're open from nine to five, you come in and see us. But we're not thinking about how whānau have to then navigate what it feels like to be going from one service to another service to another service. Their hours are nine to five. Māmā and Pāpā are working nine to five. We've built a service model or a care model based on what suits the organisation and the workforce, not necessarily what suits whānau and community.” Rīpeka Davis, Mātaiawa (General Manager) Innovation & Research, Te Oranganui Trust
Iwi and community kaimahi have worked tirelessly outside of work hours to meet the needs of whānau, and this manaakitanga (hospitality) is an example of what is needed as well as exemplifies their deep commitment and dedication to ensuring that every whānau receive the support and care they deserve.
There is a strong network of partners involved with the work being undertaken, including Health New Zealand, Whātu Ora, primary care providers, Plunket, and Tamariki Ora. The collective goal is to ensure that whānau are heard and that their experiences shape the services they receive. By building relationships across the system, the aim is to make the journey easier for māmā, providing clear points of contact and consistent support.
Through the Hapū Māmā Village, whānau feel a sense of belonging and empowerment. Māmā are actively invested in the kaupapa and are witnessing the changes taking place, recognising the value of their voices in shaping a supportive system. This approach seamlessly blends into the background, ensuring that iwi Māori, community services, and mainstream providers collectively wrap around whānau, nurturing their mana and efficacy. One of the māmā expressed that the Hapū Māmā Village for her is,
“... a place where I feel a sense of belonging, and I know that most of the other māmā have that kind of feeling as well. We're able to come in and share stories, experiences, and the kai is always good. I love the space, to just be, which is awesome.” Hapū Māmā Villager
Over the next five years, the aim is to see a coordinated, accessible, and a whānau-centred health system that delivers improved outcomes and truly serves the people.
Together, a pathway can be created driven by māmā and whānau, ensuring that pēpi thrive and flourish within their community, hapū, and iwi. The vision of the Hapū Māmā Village is to provide a space where whānau can share their stories, contribute to system change, and see the impact of their voices on the health and wellbeing of future generations.
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