Matapiata | Hapū Wānanga ki Taranaki

Hapū Wānanga ki Taranaki delivers an antenatal childbirth education programme based on Kaupapa Māori practices and principles. We support whānau Māori within the Taranaki region delivering one two-day wānanga each as well as an online programme. We engage with our community supporting their journey in hapūtanga/pregnancy, birth and raising tamariki, reducing barriers such as coping with the demands of a baby. In addition, we deliver initiatives that uplift our community. These initiatives include: Mana Tane events; Reunions, Māmā/Pēpē events, dental health and pelvic physiotherapy  clinics, and Wānanga wahakura. We also offer holistic mental health support.

This kaupapa is important for whānau Māori within the birthing context and within the first 2000 days from conception, to have access to matāuranga Māori and birthing practices, enriching their lives with taonga and resources, that empower and contribute to positive outcomes.

In a broad context, we address colonisation and the significant effects that continue to affect whānau Māori today. These effects include lack of engagement in antenatal education and service provision, poor birthing outcomes, poor health literacy, alcohol, smoking and drugs and mental health issues.
We have developed a programme and initiatives in which we are guided by tikanga and kaupapa Māori practices and principles. We believe this empowers whānau Māori to connect, reclaiming birthing tikanga that enhances health and well-being, therefore improving birthing and postnatal outcomes.

The results include significant engagement of whānau Māori in antenatal education, reclamation of birthing practices, improved mental, dental and physio health, empowered whānau and positive birth and postnatal outcomes.

 

For more information, check out their Website and Instagram, Facebook.