Te Hā o Whānau: A culturally responsive framework of maternity care.

Aim: A nuanced healthcare framework, Te Hā o Whānau, aims to make the maternal-infant healthcare system more accessible and culturally responsive for Māori following unexpected events that led to the harm or loss of their baby.

Method: Te Hā o Whānau was developed from three components. Firstly, it was grounded and informed by Kaupapa Māori qualitative research involving whānau who had experienced the harm or loss of their baby. These learnings were then combined with mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge) and built on three articles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi: Kāwanatanga, Rangatiratanga and Ōritetanga.

Results: Te Hā o Whānau has been developed to specifically guide the maternal-infant healthcare system in providing culturally responsive practice points and guidelines. These practice points and guidelines align with three tikanga Māori (customs): Tikanga manaakitanga, Tikanga rangatiratanga and Tikanga whakawhanaunga.

Conclusion: To address the stark health inequities present, we must forge innovative models and strategies, rather than reproducing (less successful) paths that have the less resistance. Te Hā o Whānau is provided with the aim of providing better outcomes for all, not just Māori.