Overcoming New Zealand’s Midwife Shortage

Empowering and uplifting the next generation of Māori and Pacific midwives is the focus of the Haakaa AUT Māori or Pacific Midwifery Scholarship.

In communities throughout New Zealand, the critical shortage of midwives is having a profound impact. According to the Te Whatu Ora and Te Aka Whai Ora Health Workforce Plan 2023/24, New Zealand needs to triple the number of midwives it trains for four years to address the current workforce deficit, with a particular need for Māori and Pacific midwifery students.

In a bid to help overcome this critical workforce shortage Haakaa, a 100% Kiwi owned and multi-award winning baby and maternity brand, has partnered with AUT to provide a scholarship for promising Māori or Pacific undergraduate midwifery students who are, or could, influence and impact Māori or Pacific midwifery practice - particularly in regional New Zealand.

Haakaa General Manager, Joy Cao, says the scholarship was a way for the company to “pay it forward” and play a real role in increasing the number of Māori or Pacific midwives in New Zealand.

“Haakaa was founded in New Zealand over a decade ago and has continued to grow alongside the local mothers and families who have supported us along the way,” says Joy. “It is this very support that has enabled us to grow, and it is our goal to pay that forward. Providing additional assistance to the very people who take care of our mothers and babies during pregnancy and the neonatal period is something we are passionate about.

“Among the ways we have chosen to do this is to help reverse the decreasing numbers of midwives who help bring our babies into the world. Chronic midwife shortages have resulted in increasing distress to expectant mothers, and by offering scholarships we hope to change this.”

The scholarship aims to support students that have the potential to influence and impact Māori or Pacific midwifery practice, particularly in regional New Zealand. Joy says this is particularly important to Haakaa.

“Rural communities have far fewer options when it comes to the availability and variability of midwifery services, putting both the professionals and the patients at a higher risk of physical and mental stress,” says Joy.

“We are aware that as well as having a general shortage of midwives, New Zealand also has a profound shortage of Māori and Pacific midwives. Research has shown that a crucial part of quality maternity care includes feeling culturally safe, and by connecting with a midwife of the same culture, outcomes can be improved. At present, the proportion of Māori and Pacific midwives in practice does not match general population.

“It is our aim to help boost the number of Māori and Pacific midwives to provide options to all families across the country, enabling each and every person to have access to the maternity care they want and need, without having to potentially travel unreasonable distances in order to obtain it.

“It is also our hope that through supporting their studies, we can help increase the availability of qualified Māori or Pasifika midwives in regional communities, providing these families with the care and support they need and are entitled to.”

For AUT graduate Awhiora Niania, the Haakaa AUT Māori or Pacific Midwifery Scholarship played a significant role in helping her achieve her lifelong ambition of becoming a midwife.

“I was drawn to midwifery since a young age with witnessing my two younger brothers being born,” Awhiora says. “I have always excelled in biology and physics, so I knew I wanted to be in the health industry. I also wanted to work with my people and keep traditional practices within whānau alive.

“This scholarship has helped immensely by reducing the financial burden of studying. I have also been able to put this scholarship towards the costs of my Masters.”

Awhiora says she hopes her journey provides inspiration to other Māori or Pasifika considering a career in midwifery.

“I would like to think that I am setting an example for Māori to continue on studying once they have finished their undergraduate degree,” says Awhiora.

“It may be a scary or uncomfortable thought but you just have to start. It is a tough degree but there is plenty support from Māori liaisons, lecturers and students. We need more Māori and Pasifika midwives, so just start.”