An appalling situation has occurred yet again. Our babies are being taken from their mothers soon after birth as a way
to protect the child from unsafe circumstances. Māori liaison workers are compromised as this form of ‘wellbeing for the
baby only’ goes against cultural practices of caring for the mother and her child.
Today, midwives, community leaders and representatives from the Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Te Wero group met to discuss
concerns and a way forward.
“We will not sit on the side and watch this nonsense”
“Not one more child! Not one more baby will be taken or torn away or kidnapped”
“We will use our political influence and our networks to intervene at every step, every stage and for every child, to
ensure that the cultural practices and values are upheld at all times”
“The states response at these times needs to take a back seat and kidnapping babies from the womb needs to stop now”
We are thankful that whānau and the police showed good sense throughout this attempted baby snatching episode. It gave
time for the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board Māori Unit to resolve the situation through putting into place our
cultural belief practices.
We would like to meet with Minister Tracey Martin to ensure we find a positive way forward forever.