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The head of midwifery at Te Aka Whai Ora, the Māori Health Authority, says the number of Māori midwives is growing - but they need more support to keep them in the sector.
The head of midwifery at Te Aka Whai Ora, the Māori Health Authority, says the number of Māori midwives is growing – but they need more support to keep them in the sector.
Heather Muriwai says Māori now make up 12 percent of the workforce.
She says there’s an intense work load, but midwives need to remember maternity is about wellness, not sickness.
“I’ve seen it over my career when you get that birth right with that whanau and they are in control and determining their experience, with the midwife guiding that and keeping it safe, everything else flows on from that, they take control of their whole health experience from then on, for their pepe definitely,” Ms Muriwai says.
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