Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira and Ora Toa Health Services have launched a new hapū whānau hub in Cannon’s Creek.
Runanga chief operating officer Jennie Smeaton says Te Puna Wairua will improve maternal and infant health by providing integrated access to health and social services that are specific to maternity.
These include antenatal classes, education about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome prevention and support for physical activity, dental care, smoking cessation and nutrition.
It will also give hapū mama access to healthcare such as midwifery support, obstetrician services and maternal mental health services.
She says in Porirua there are significant inequities in access to maternity, ante-natal and post-natal care, particularly for Māori and Pacific women.
Only 64 percent of wahine Māori and 44 percent of Pacific women in Porirua are registered with a lead maternity carer in their first trimester.
