b'-DOING: MAORI BIRTHING TRADITIONSRECLAIMING -THE MAORI BIRTHBy Anna-Liza BadalooKelly Tikao has made it her mission to help-Maori women deliver their babies following time-honoured traditionsT he Ma- ori people of NewTo better integrate traditional Mori birthing practices Zealand have a rich cultural history, and theyinto midwifery and hospitals, Tikaos ultimate goal is to make up approximatelycreate a Mori midwifery training program17 per cent of New Zealands population, which gives them a strong voice. But that voice has not always been heard. Tikao, who belongs to the Nga- i Tahu hapu-EMBRACING TRADITIONToday, thats changing. Ma- ori people(sub-tribe) of the Ma- ori people, says thatAlthough the tools may have changed, the how traditional Ma- ori birthing practicescore of Ma- ori practices and rituals have are working towards reforming theare received in mainstream hospitals comesremained symbolically the same. The trad-national standard by improving access todown to the staff. Even when hospitals haveitional practice of keeping and burying the cultural practices through New Zealandofficial policies stating they must accom placenta (or afterbirth) is one of the more services. One woman in particular, Maorimodate different birthing practices, all it-researcher Dr. Kelly Tikao, has made atakes is one unaware staff member to causecommonly accepted Maori birthing practices mission of magnifying their voice in onesignificant distress for Ma- ori women. Sincetoday, but that wasnt always the case. When - births became a hospital experience, they area specifically: Maori birthing practices,hospitals can be quite hierarchical, if that which are still not widely known inunaware staffer is someone of influence, thatincinerated the afterbirth. Because it was seen New Zealand.lack of knowledge could impact the attitudesas a body part, nobody wanted it, says Tikao. of the entire staff. But Ma- ori wanted it. We call our uterus the The mainstream health care system inhouse of people. We nurture and honour New Zealand has not always been kindTikao, an Adjunct Fellow at the University ofthe fact that within our wombs, generations -to Maori women. Colonization has evenCanterbury, completed her doctoral thesishave come.affected the maternity wards of hospitalson Ma- ori birthing practices and was inspiredplaces that should be full of joy andto implement her recommendations. FarSome Ma- ori keep the placenta in a pot of soil, understanding. If you read some of thefrom just sitting on a shelf, her PhD researchbury it in their backyard (if possible), or take it early experiences of our ancestors thathas spawned an in-depth website calledto their tribal location. Interestingly, the word had to birth in hospital for the first time,Ha- kui, with fulsome resources to connectfor Ma- ori sub-tribe (hapu- ) is also the word for the way they were treated was disgusting.Ma- ori people to their cultural knowledgepregnancy. There is a sense of you forming It was absolutely like taming the natives,and educate non-Ma- ori about theiryour own clan or your own tribal connection notes Tikao.customary birthing practices.going forward, says Tikao. 42Spring/Summer 2023'