#national: Landmark Māmā and Pēpi report calls for system overhaul grounded in whānau realities

A major new report from Te Taumata Hauora o Te Kahu o Taonui is laying bare the challenges faced by Māori mothers and their babies, calling for urgent, system-wide change to better support whānau across Te Tai Tokerau and Tāmaki Makaurau.

The report draws on extensive engagement with māmā, whānau, and Māori health providers, capturing lived experiences from both rural and urban communities. It identifies persistent barriers to care, including limited access to services, maternal mental health challenges, housing instability, financial hardship, and ongoing experiences of discrimination and racism within the health system.

At its core, the findings point to deep systemic and cultural failures, with many whānau reporting that current maternity and early childhood services are not designed to meet their needs. The report highlights inconsistent care, a lack of cultural safety, and services that often fail to recognise or uphold the mana and lived realities of Māori.

Alongside these challenges, the report presents a clear vision for transformation shaped directly by whānau. It calls for a shift toward a whānau-centred system grounded in kaupapa Māori approaches, including the development of integrated support services, kaupapa Māori maternity hubs, and a stronger Māori health workforce.

There is also a strong emphasis on the need for long-term, sustainable funding for Māori providers, who are seen as critical to delivering culturally appropriate care and walking alongside whānau throughout the maternity journey.

Leadership from within Te Taumata Hauora says the report is intended as a practical blueprint for change rather than another consultation document. It reflects the voices of those most affected and outlines what is needed to create a system that is responsive, respectful, and effective.

The findings reinforce longstanding calls from iwi and hauora leaders for services to be designed and led by Māori, with systems grounded in tikanga, whanaungatanga, and a holistic understanding of health and wellbeing.

The report makes clear that incremental change is no longer sufficient, urging government agencies, policymakers, and health leaders to act with urgency and to work in genuine partnership with whānau.

It concludes with a strong message about the future, positioning māmā and pēpi as central to the wellbeing of generations to come, and challenging those in positions of influence to create the conditions needed for them to thrive.

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