Struggles of Māori Mothers in NZ Health System

The New Zealand health system isfailing to protect Māori mothers, says Tina Ngata, an indigenous andenvironmental rights advocate, author, and researcher. Ngata’s concerns arehighlighted in a new short documentary, It Takes a Kāinga.

The documentary reveals alarming statistics: Māorimothers are twice as likely to die during pregnancy and 3.35 times more likelyto commit suicide compared to others. Suicide is the leading cause of maternaldeath in Aotearoa.

Ngata, of Ngāti Porou decent, has been researchinghealth disparities faced by Māori mothers for over a decade. She asserts thatdespite her efforts, the health system has not improved, continuing toperpetuate poor maternal health outcomes.

“Naturally, when you are a young Māori mother, you sitat the intersections of all of those risks because the system, in multipleways, was never designed from the beginning to take you into account,” Ngatasaid. “That’s a failure on us all that any young māmā should be standing therein that tapu state, having those thoughts.”

Directed by Taylor Hohepa, who is of Te Arawa, Ngāti Korokī Kahukura, Ngāti Kahungunu, and Ngāi Tahu descent, It Takes a Kāinga ismore than just a film; it’s a movement. The 15-minute documentary explores themental health disparities faced by Māori mothers and advocates for Māori-ledhealthcare solutions. It calls for a return to traditional practices forpreserving whakapapa.

The film features award-winning musician and mother Ria Hall, who is of Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Te Whānau ā Apanui, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, and Waikato descent. It focuses on the physical and mentalhealth challenges faced by Māori women during their maternal journeys.

“While this documentary has a strong Māori lens, it isfor everybody, and I believe positive change begins with collectiveunderstanding,” Hohepa said.

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