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...Whāngai Ū is an easy-to-use guide to breastfeeding, made locally that features West Auckland women. It is a practical, relevant guide that is helpful and relatable for women of all ages, ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds.
The DVD resource is free for women caregivers and families in West Auckland, and is available for purchase at a minimal cost to all other service providers throughout the country, as well as internationally.
The DVD will be formally launched on Friday 2nd March.
The idea for the DVD was the result of a collaborative discussion with programme co-ordinators and practitioners from the Waipareira Antenatal breastfeeding workshop service.
“It’s great for Māori and New Zealand women in general to be able to see and hear stories they can relate to” says Melissa Hadley, co-coordinator of the Antenatal breastfeeding workshop service.
The DVD resource has been made to offer an understandable and comprehensive local guide on breastfeeding, where previously there have been none.
Māori breastfeeding rates have fallen well below the national average, and many Māori women have grown up in whānau where they have not been breastfed or been witness to breastfeeding. Those at Waipareira Trust behind the creation of the resource hope to encourage Māori women to breastfeed and to offer support for all women who are having difficulties with breastfeeding.
Māori Party co-leader and Minister of Māori Affairs, Dr Pita Sharples will attend the launch, amongst other VIPs and guest speakers celebrating Waipareira’s success as a leader in healthcare making groundbreaking progress using practical solutions that impact the health and wellbeing of women, children and families.