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YOUR COLLEGE
50 years since passing of Equal Pay Act
A joint MERAS and College celebration was held on parliament grounds on 20 October, to celebrate 50 years since the passing of this pivotal legislation (top right).
Midwives attending the event were buoyed by the presence and words of MPs Camilla Belich (Labour), Marama Davidson and Jan Logie (Greens) who all acknowledged that in spite of progress, equal pay was not yet a universal reality.
MERAS Co-Leaders Jill Ovens and Caroline Conroy, College CE Alison Eddy and MERAS member Liz Winterbee, all gave impassioned speeches reflecting on the journey to date, including key milestones and events such as the 1993 Maternity Benefits Tribunal and MERAS pay equity claim. square
CULTURAL REVIEW UPDATE
Tēnā koutou to all members who have participated in the College’s cultural review. Reviewers Moe Milne, Linda Thompson and Koha Aperahama have conducted a number of hui and interviews with members and other stakeholders around the motu, as well
as conducting an online survey. Initial findings were presented to the College’s board at its November meeting, with a full report anticipated early next year. square
Refugee navigation service established
Progress has been made on a navigation process to support access to midwifery care for pregnant women who arrive in Aotearoa as refugees. Under the quota system, former refugees spend their first five weeks in South Auckland at Te Āhuru Mōwai before being resettled to their new homes in regions around the country. The College has signed an agreement with Te Whatu Ora to support the Counties Manukau community midwifery team and regional refugee navigation services to link pregnant women with midwives in the resettlement regions, and to support secure transfer of clinical records. We will be contacting members in the new year to set up a network of midwives who have a special interest in working with former refugee families. square
WELCOME BACK TO MIDWIVES POST-MANDATE
Ten months since its inception, the Covid-19 vaccine mandate for health workers ended on 26 September.
However, the government’s announcement was qualified by indicating that employers may put vaccination policies in place under Health and Safety at Work legislation. Te Whatu Ora did not have any position or policy ready for the end of the legal mandate, so the Chief Executive advised districts to continue with their own regional policies until a national policy could be agreed. This created confusion and variable understandings around the country, and the College worked with members and districts to support midwives to return to practice. At time of writing, we understand that issues with access agreements have now been resolved, however midwives affected by the mandate have not been able to apply for employment with Te Whatu Ora facilities in most areas. A national vaccination policy is currently in development, however the College has not yet been consulted on any drafts.
The College warmly welcomes all returning midwives back to practice and is available for support if required. square
Midwifery First Year of Practice 2023
Planning is underway to welcome graduate midwives entering the profession in 2023. Following feedback from current graduates and mentors, the College continues to strengthen MFYP. This year we are implementing new and exciting initiatives to increase professional and educational support for graduates. We anticipate approximately 150 midwives will join MFYP by November 2023 and we look forward to welcoming them to our profession. square
JOAN DONLEY MIDWIFERY RESEARCH FORUM 2022
It has been many years since we have been able to gather and reconnect with our colleagues and friends. The College made the decision to hold the forum this year to celebrate midwifery knowledge and research in Aotearoa. The forum - held in November in Tauranga and hosted by the Bay of Plenty region - saw over 300 midwives and students come together from across the country. We would like to thank all of the presenters who shared their research and thoughts with us all. Presentations were varied and included practice initiatives, challenges and much more. The forum demonstrated how kaupapa Māori research, practice wisdom and professional practice continues to evolve and inform us all as we move forward together professionally. square
Clockwise from left: Ngatepaeru Marsters, Taryn Tupou, Caitlin Roberts, Talei Jackson, Rudi Hill, Vaimarasi Ting, Nasi Valu, Dena Black, Vaimoana Lauaki, Fetongi Mafi and Makira Cornish at the Joan Donley Research Forum.
Seeking Solutions: Finding Balance
TE RAPU RONGOĀ: TE KIMI TAURITE
Watch the NZLCA 2023 Conference Online: 10 February to 5 March 2023
See a wide range of outstanding presentations!
• Breastfeeding in Public • Sensory Processing • Supporting Older First Time Mothers • The WHO Code • Reflux • Perinatal Mental Health
• Supporting Parent-Led Weaning • Cultural Literacy • Breast Reduction • Hapu Wananga • Cleft Lip & Palate ...and much more!
Approved by the NZ Midwifery Council. IBLCE CERPS applied for.
