Lay summary
We aim to extend the Nga Pou Wahine Intervention (NPWI) to young at-risk wahine Maori (16 to 24 year olds) who are hapu to strengthen their potential, reduce activities that compromise their abilities to be strong wahine and mothers, and to improve their health literacy. Using Powhiri, a kaupapa Maori methodology, this research will have three phases: (1) piloting and refining the NPWI for use with young wahine Maori, (2) implementing the intervention, and (3) evaluating its effectiveness. The NPWI will be run over an 8-week period, and a variety of measures will be collected at baseline and at 1-month and 6-month post-intervention, along with focus group interviews at the completion of the intervention and wananga evaluations. The anticipated outcomes will be strengthening wahine cultural identify, self-efficacy, health literacy, and developing strategies for mothering and parenting.