Aotearoa’s Longest-Serving Māori Midwife: Janet Taiatini

Janet Taiatini, one of Aotearoa’s longest-serving registered Māori midwives, has dedicated her career to providing culturally specific birthing care to Māori and Pacific women. In this exclusive interview, RNZ’s Afternoons explores the importance of indigenous practices in childbirth and Taiatini’s passion for sharing knowledge with the next generation of midwifery students.

The Rise of Indigenous Midwifery Practices

The inclusion of indigenous practices in midwifery education is a positive step forward, but Taiatini emphasizes that more needs to be done to meet the growing demand for culturally specific care. “Our children coming through kura kaupapa Māori, obviously their lens is going to be different and they have different needs,” she says.

Many Māori mothers-to-be prefer receiving in-home care and having whānau involved in their birthing experience. Taiatini notes that this approach not only enhances the maternal experience but also provides valuable support for whānau members who may be present during childbirth.

A Legacy of Care

Taiatini’s passion for midwifery began as a nurse in the Middlemore Hospital maternity ward, where she discovered her love for assisting childbirth. After becoming a registered midwife in 1988, Taiatini saw an opportunity to provide more holistic care by establishing a south Auckland midwives collective.

The group offered in-home care for pregnant Māori women and their whānau who weren’t engaging with regular hospital services. This approach allowed for more personalized support and a stronger connection between birth partners and healthcare providers.

A Positive Sign for the Mainstream System

A recent experience supporting an expectant māmā in hospital illustrates that indigenous practices are increasingly being incorporated into mainstream systems. “She was able to karanga [ceremonially welcome] that baby and karakia [sing] up in the theatre when their baby was being born,” Taiatini recalls.

This positive development suggests that more Māori midwives will be sharing their knowledge and expertise with other healthcare professionals, ultimately leading to better birthing experiences for Māori women.

A Commitment to Indigenous Knowledge

As a government-funded pastoral programme comes to an end, Taiatini plans to continue practising as a midwife and share her indigenous birthing practices with trainees at Wintec. Her dedication to preserving and sharing this knowledge is a testament to her commitment to the health and well-being of Aotearoa’s Māori communities.

A Message of Hope

Despite facing challenges, Taiatini remains optimistic about the future of indigenous midwifery practices. “I am optimistic, that’s my nature,” she says. “I always look for the good.” As we move forward, it is essential to continue supporting and amplifying the voices of Māori midwives like Janet Taiatini, who are shaping the future of birthing care in Aotearoa.

By embracing indigenous knowledge and practices, we can create a more inclusive and culturally responsive healthcare system that prioritizes the unique needs of Māori women. As Taiatini so eloquently puts it, “I am optimistic, that’s my nature. I always look for the good.”