Lay summary
This PhD study is underpinned by a kaupapa Māori narrative epistemological approach working with whānau Māori to encourage the development and sharing of whānau narratives that usher in the old practice and metaphorical traditions of pīkau (baby wearing or carrying). This framework will be used to explore the collective postnatal and parenting journeys for whānau Māori living in the Otago region. This study also strives to explore the domains of mātuatanga or parenthood and the ways whānau Māori define parenthood from their experiences navigating various health care services in the community.
We take our lead from international research on the postpartum phase but my intention is for whānau to be self-determining of the language they would like to use that place them in their roles as kaihāpai (advocates) , kaimanaaki (nurturers) and mātua (parental figures) within their whānau context.