Maternity Commissioning Framework

At Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, we believe every whānau deserves maternity care that is equitable, accessible, and responsive to their needs. Different regions and communities have their own unique contexts that means what one community needs will be different from another.

We want to work in a transparent and connected way with whānau at the centre; linking up community needs, workforce needs, and the needs of the people who design and commission maternity services to create a system that supports pregnant people and their families no matter where they live.

This is the vision for locally-tailored, regionally facilitated, nationally enabled health services.

While New Zealand Aotearoa is world-leading in the way we deliver midwifery-led continuity of care, for too long, not everyone has had the same access to it.

Significant and preventable inequities in health outcomes have impacted whānau Māori, Pacific Peoples, Tāngata Whaikaha (disabled people), and other communities.

Our goal is to build upon and support midwifery-led continuity of care in a more connected way that closes these gaps and enables better health and wellbeing for all whānau, at every stage of the maternity journey.

This journey is about partnership. We’re working with healthcare providers, midwives, community leaders, and whānau across the country to build a system that truly reflects and serves the needs of our communities.

Your insights and feedback are crucial as we move forward.

The Technical Advisory Group (TAG) has been established to guide the development of the Maternity Commissioning Framework, a key element of the Kahu Taurima programme.

The TAG brings together experts, community representatives, and clinicians to ensure maternity services in New Zealand Aotearoa are equitable, accessible, and responsive to the needs of all whānau.

The group’s mahi is focused on addressing long-standing inequities in maternity care, particularly for whānau Māori, Pacific Peoples, Tāngata Whaikaha (disabled people), and other underserved communities.

Their work will shape how services are designed, commissioned, and delivered at national, regional, and local levels.

Read more about each TAG member.

The TAG will work collaboratively from November 2024 to June 2025, focusing on the development of the Maternity Commissioning Framework. Key dates include:

• 22 November 2024: First TAG meeting
• Monthly workshops: Addressing critical aspects of maternity commissioning and service design 
• June 2025: Completion of the Maternity Commissioning Framework draft

Ongoing engagement and consultation with stakeholders will be a vital part of this process.

If you would like to be kept informed and involved, please let us know by emailing maternity@tewhatuora.govt.nz