Skip to main content

Te Rōpu Whakaruruhau

Whaia te ao Māori
Rangahauä te matauranga
Pursue the world of the Māori
Research the knowledge

Te timatanga o te reo - Kei ngā wai ū o te whaea

Vision

Optimising breastfeeding for Māori babies, mothers and their whānau

Values

  • Tino rangatiratanga
  • Kaitiakitanga
  • Manaakitanga
  • Kotahitanga

Responsibilities and Functions

This include:

  • Supporting Māori NZBA Board members to enhance the cultural responsiveness of the NZBA Board and staff.
  • Together with the NZBA Board developing of NZBA’s Strategic Plans.
  • Implementation of the Strategic Plan via actions that champion breastfeeding for Māori that include:
    • translating experiences of tipuna/upuna to lead traditional breastfeeding practices with the overarching purpose of improving outcomes for whānau.
    • identifying strategies that will maximize opportunities for Māori participation within the Baby Friendly environment.

Membership

Te Rōpu Whakaruruhau membership is skills and competency based noting the holistic vision of Māori health.  Members are selected by Te Rōpu Whakaruruhau based on his/her expertise and the perspectives s/he bring from a range of areas including: Midwifery, lactation, maternal health, child health, leadership Māori providers, whānau ora, general practice/medicine, nutrition/dietetics, and consumers. 

Representation from mana whenua is mandatory.

The Chairperson of Te Rōpu Whakaruruhau will be a Māori member of the New Zealand Breastfeeding Alliance Board.

Members of Te Rōpu Whakaruruhau as at May 2021

Henare Edwards, Kaumatua

Wendy Dallas-Katoa, Taua, JP, Research, Whanau ora, PHN

Tasha Wharerau, Chairperson & NZBA Board, Women's Health Promoter, Women's Health Action

Amy WrayMidwife, Lactation Consultant

Waikura Kamo, New Zealand Nurses Organisation

Sarah-Anne Waihoaka Wills, Registered Midwife, Whānau Mau Kaupapa Māori Antenatal Pregnancy & Parenting Programme

Click here to view New Zealand Breastfeeding Alliance policy on Māori Responsiveness March 2018

Terms and References