Healthy Families Rotorua is taking its first steps in an exciting new kaupapa, Hapū Māmā, which aims to strengthen maternal care and ensure pēpi and whānau have the strongest possible start to life.
Healthy Families Rotorua has been asked to explore this space and consider what might be co-designed to make maternal care more aspirational and culturally supportive for māmā, pēpi and whānau.
The kaupapa looks at the wider maternal journey, from pre-natal through to post-natal care, and the support systems that wrap around mothers and whānau. Importantly, it takes a systems approach rather than a service-by-service focus, recognising the vital role of providers, iwi and community in shaping a collective response.
Leading the kaupapa is systems innovator, Stevee Wikiriwhi, who says it is grounded in kaupapa Māori wellbeing and values wairua, tinana, hinengaro, and whānau equally.
“Pregnancy is a sacred state. The māmā holds not only her baby, but also the whakapapa of her ancestors and the future of her whānau. The space around her must reflect this tapu – one of respect, elevation, and care,” she says.
“Whānau have told us they want more choice and options in maternal care, including access to rongoā, oriori, and hauora Māori. Hapū Māmā is about listening deeply to these experiences and aspirations and working together to build a system that better reflects whānau values.”
The kaupapa is currently in the ‘Looking’ phase of Healthy Families Rotorua’s practice framework. This involves reviewing data, mapping maternal care systems, and most importantly, gathering insights from whānau.
“The ‘Looking’ phase is about bringing iwi leadership, hauora providers, and whānau voices together to lay the groundwork for systems change in maternal health,” says Stevee.
Healthy Families Rotorua manager, Jenny Kaka-Scott, says we are already learning many things just by listening deeply to the different experiences and aspirations of wāhine and those who work beside them in the community.
“We know many māmā don’t engage with maternal health services until late in their pregnancy, but we’re not yet sure why this occurs as often as it does. We’re keen to understand the level of support our māmā and whānau have available to be able to raise strong, healthy tamariki and to stay well themselves,” she says.
The Hapū Māmā kaupapa is closely aligned with Kahu Taurima, the national cross-agency approach to supporting the first 2,000 days of life. Healthy Families Rotorua says whānau voices will shape the direction ahead.
“We’re not just looking at how maternal services are organised,” Stevee says. “We want to hear directly from whānau about their experiences and aspirations for their babies and their whānau.”
