Lay summary
This project identifies the health system barriers and enablers that young Ma¯ori women in the Counties Manukau region experience when seeking access to long-acting reversible contraception (LARC). Access issues are compounded by a confusing array of policies and practices within the health and social sectors with regards to LARC, meaning that young Ma¯ori women must navigate an obstacle course in order to achieve good reproductive health. The project utilises a kaupapa Ma¯ori approach that locates Ma¯ori understandings of fertility and reproductive health as normal and central to Ma¯ori health and reproductive wellbeing, augmented by a sexual and reproductive health justice approach. An evidence base developed from interviews with Ma¯ori community leaders, stakeholder agencies and organisations, key relevant policy and research and, crucially, young Ma¯ori women themselves will address the broad gap in current research and provide an alternative to deficit national datasets in informing policy and practice regarding LARC.