Lay summary
Waiwhero/menstruation is part of an incredible process that prepares the female body for pregnancy. Despite being a normal physiological process, and counter to traditional Māori beliefs, menstruation is often linked with shame and embarrassment. Many do not understand menstruation or what constitutes ‘normal’, and consequently, many do not seek help for problems such as debilitating menstrual pain, which may be associated with diseases like endometriosis.
Our long-term aim is to establish an easily accessible, culturally-sensitive, age-appropriate menstrual health programme relevant to Aotearoa New Zealand. Guided by mātauranga Māori and tikanga Māori, we aim to build the research and community relationships needed to initiate conversations to determine what and how menstrual health information should be provided. This will provide the basis for establishing online information resources that will advance menstrual health knowledge and thereby improve medical care and increase quality-of-life in Aotearoa New Zealand.