Nga Maia ö Aotearoa me Te Waipounamu -Te Hui a Tau

Nga Maia ö Aotearoa me Te Waipounamu -Te Hui a Tau

Nga Maia, the national organisation of Maori Midwives and Maori Birthing held their 10th Hui a Tau at Takitimu Marae, Wairoa on the 17th - 20th March. The hui included the Hui a Rohe for the Tai Rawhiti members of Nga Maia who were the hosts. The kaupapa of the hui was "Kotahi te ha ö te mokopuna me te tupuna"

Keynote speaker Dr Rangimarie (Rose) Te Turuki Pere opened the 2nd day of the hui and was dynamic. She spoke of many issues facing Maori whanau and supported the need for the birthing kaupapa to be elevated and that the maintenance of Maori birthing traditions is important.

Birthing Wananga, workshops, a trip to Morere hot springs and feedback on the Nga Maia Business and Strategic Plans were the key components of the hui attended by Maori midwives, whanau and tangata whenua. About 60 people attended the hui.

Key Issues:

a.. Nga Maia to be involved in research projects involving birthing wananga, smoking and the development of a Nga Maia research portfolio around Maori birthing. b.. To develop birthing resources and information for whanau. c.. To support Maori midwives in their practice. d.. To support Maori midwifery students and be involved in midwifery education. e.. To be involved in all sectors involving Maori Birthing. f.. To elevate Maori Birthing in a similar way to Te Kohanga Reo. g.. Nga Maia to develop a Maori Review team.

The hui culminated in the announcement of 2 national awards and 1 regional award to celebrate 10years of Nga Maia Hui a Tau. Kaumatua George Cherrington, Whangarei and Sarah McGhee, Gisborne, were honoured with taonga for their support and commitment to Nga Maia. Retired midwife, Gwen Mulligan also of Gisborne, was honoured by the Tai Rawhiti rohe for her support and commitment to the development of Maori midwives in the Tai Rawhiti. A Becky Fox Memorial Scholarship of $500 for a 3rd year Nga Maia Midwifery student was also announced.

Members of the hui attended the Hura Kohatu for Becky Fox at Te Horo Marae, Ruatoria on 20th March. Becky Fox was instrumental in developing and implementing the Tihei Mauri Ora Midwifery Training at Waikato Institute of Technology.

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