Te Puāwai he Kākano
Maternity and Early Years Services
Support for your whānau – from before pēpi is born until they are five years old.
We work in partnership with whānau to ensure your needs are responded to during the early years of raising tamariki.
Services can be provided in your home or in our clinics depending on whānau preference. Wānanga are provided locally and transport can be provided.
Ratonga whāinga
About this service
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Our Tamariki Ora nurses support the whānau of pēpi and young tamariki up to age five. We monitor growth and development ensuring pēpi are achieving milestones. We provide education and kōrero around parenting practice, injury prevention and safety.
This service is available in Waimeha / Richmond, Whakatū / Nelson, Motueka and Wairau / Blenheim.
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Our lactation consultant, nurses and pūkenga manaaki can provide support and education before and after pēpi is born.
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Our pūkenga manaaki support whānau to access health and wellbeing services. We take a kaupapa Māori strengths-based approach, working in partnership with whānau to identify goals for themselves and their tamariki.
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Our registered whānau kaimahi-a-iwi works with whānau to identify needs in areas such as housing, finances, education and health. We can provide support and advocacy to help meet these needs.
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We work with whānau to protect them, their pēpi and tamariki against preventable diseases. We understand that it is important for you to be able to talk about immunisation – our nurses and other kaimahi are available to kōrero and listen to your pātai (questions).
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We hold several wānanga throughout the year for hapū māmā and pāpā to learn about birthing and raising pēpi in the context of Te Ao Māori. Our antenatal educators, nurses, and pukenga manaaki work together to provide responsive and engaging information and experiences.
The dates for the next wānanga are under this section of the webpage
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We facilitate a space for māmā, pāpā and pēpi to socialise and learn with other whānau. Our groups are a safe space for whānau to bond and kōrero.
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We can connect whānau to other Te Piki Oranga services, such as gestational diabetes specialists and mental health clinicians.
We can also refer whānau to other health providers and community organisations, to ensure whānau get the best care.
Mātauranga me ngā rōpu tautoko
Education and support groups in Whakatū
Wānanga Hapūtanga: Antenatal education group
We hold several wānanga in Whakatū throughout the year for hapū māmā and pāpā to learn about pregnancy, birthing and raising pēpi. Wānanga Hapūtanga are led by our midwives, nurses, pūkenga manaaki and kairaranga (weavers). Transport is available for whānau attending from Motueka.
Dates for our next wānanga:
Friday 20 & Saturday 21 February 2026
Friday 8 May & Saturday 9 May 2026
Friday 21 & Saturday 22 August 2026
Friday 6 & Saturday 7 November 2026
Registrations now open for all wānanga, click here to register.
Pēpi Pakohe: Parents’ group
We facilitate a space in Whakatū for māmā, pāpā and pēpi to socialise and learn with other whānau. Our groups offer a safe space for whānau to enjoy time together, bond and kōrero.
Kōrero & whakaahua | Stories and photos
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![A woman with sunglasses on her head and curly hair is sitting on the floor, holding a smiling baby in her lap. They are reading a colorful children's book titled 'Pinari The Kauri' with a gnome and other illustrations on the cover. Behind them, there is a decorated Christmas tree with red, green, and gold ornaments, and a wrapped gift at the base.]()
Taking the stress out of immunisation for whānau
Kōrero by Marissa Pou, Kano Kano Kaituitui
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![Two women sitting on the floor with two babies among toys and drinks, in a room with a blue sofa, pillows, and chairs.]()
Raising confident and resilient pēpi, with Pēpi Pākohe
Kōrero by Lovey Elkington, Pūkenga Manaaki
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![A woman with shoulder-length brown hair styled in loose waves, wearing a black blazer, is smiling softly and looking at the camera against a plain light background.]()
A new era in maternity and early years services
Kōrero by Cathleen Walker, Pūkenga Kaiwhakahaere
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![Wahakura Wānanga Group photo]()
Wonderful wahakura wānanga
Some of our Te Puāwai he Kākano whānau were invited to participate in a wahakura wānanga with kairāranga from around Te Tauihu.
How to access Te Puāwai he Kākano
You can be referred to this service by your lead maternity carer, midwife or GP (family doctor). You can also refer yourself, or someone in your whānau by getting in touch with us directly.
Mō ētahi atu āwhina | For more assistance
Phone: 0800 ORANGA (672642)
Email: admin.tepuawai@tpo.org.nz
Use our online application/referral form: www.tpo.org.nz/enrol
Visit: Te Piki Oranga Whakatū Hauora Hub at 199 Nayland Rd, Stoke.