Hapū Wānanga (Wānanga Hapūtanga) is a kaupapa Māori pregnancy and parenting programme that covers mainstream practices within a kaupapa Māori context.

The programme, launched in Marlborough in November 2018, operates in multiple locations across the Nelson Marlborough district.

It is a partnership between Nelson Marlborough Health’s Te Waka Hauora Māori health team, Maternity Services, local Māori providers and community.   It is the first of its kind in Te Tauihu (top of the South Island)

Hapū Wānanga is designed to reintroduce whānau from vulnerable populations to Māori traditions and support pregnant wāhine who might not otherwise engage with antenatal education.

Over two days Hapū Wānanga embraces the principles of te reo, tikanga and mātauranga Māori to share knowledge and key messages around immunisation, labour and birth options,
safe sleep, gentle handling of pēpi and other issues identified by whānau attending, in a way that upholds and acknowledges Te Ao Māori.

Strong engagement and linking to local support services is important to the ethos of the wānanga – with local presenters and services such as smoking cessation and whānau support services attending.

At the end of the programme wāhine are given a wahakura woven by local weavers to support the safe sleep message. It comes with a mattress, sheets, merino blankets, baby clothes, accessories and an aroha pack filled with items for māmā and pēpi.

 Hapū Wānanga supports Māori whānau and not just first-time parents and mothers — partners and wider whānau are welcome. To help remove any barriers to whānau accessing the programme, there is no cost, kai is provided and also transport if required.