Taurima Te Pā Harakeke

06/08/2026

29/06/2026

Taurima te Pā Harakeke has a new home.

Kia ora e te iwi, following our temporary relocation to Thames Hospital, we're pleased to let you know that from Monday 6 July, our Taurima te Pā Harakeke services will be operating from our new whare at:

108 Sealey Street, Thames
(Located on the left-hand side of the Hauraki PHO Thames tari.)

If you have an appointment with our team from Monday onwards, please come and see us at our new location.

If you have any pātai, please contact your midwife, kaiawhina, or freephone 0800 828 7164.

Nau mai, haere mai rā.

23/06/2026

📣 Calling all tāne with pēpi in their lives or on the way!

Join us for a hands-on wānanga where you’ll learn to create your own Kāpeu - a traditional pounamu taonga worn by our tūpuna and used to support pēpi during teething and breastfeeding.

During this special day, you’ll:
✨ Learn pounamu shaping techniques using both machinery and traditional hoanga (sandstone) methods
✨ Create and take home a taonga for your whānau
✨ Connect with other fathers and father figures in a supportive environment

📅 Saturday, 4 July 2026
📍 Manaia Fire Station, 60 Goldfields Road, Manaia
⏰ 9.00am - 3.00pm

✅ Free to attend
✅ All kai and materials provided
✅ No experience required

Spaces are limited, so be sure to register using the QR code on the poster.

Nau mai, haere mai - come and create something meaningful for your pēpi and whānau.

06/05/2026

06/05/2026

“The Magic of Cabbage Leaves” 🪄

It seemed especially fitting, following yesterday’s International Day of the Midwives, to share some mātauranga from our beautiful and knowledgeable Midwifery Lead, Dr Melissa Paekau-McBride (PhD, Midwifery)🤱🏽

In this short video, Mel demonstrates a simple and natural way to help soothe inflamed or engorged breasts using cabbage leaves - a gentle remedy many māmā have used during their breastfeeding journey 💚

As part of our upcoming kaupapa, we invite all hapū māmā and whānau to join us for:

HAPŪ WĀNANGA KI THAMES
📅 Friday 12th June 2026
🕘 9:00am – 2:30pm�
📍 210 Richmond Street (Te Korowai Hauora o Hauraki - Whare Āwhina)

Come along to connect, learn, and strengthen your mātauranga around hapūtanga, birth, and wellbeing in a supportive kaupapa Māori environment

To enrol, register here:
🔗 https://forms.monday.com/forms/4201e412b050ed46430ac0696c348e5e?r=apse2

05/05/2026

Whakanuia | International Day of the Midwife🌸

As shared by our Hauraki PHO page, we’re kicking off our midwife spotlight with our Lead Midwifery Advisor. Mihi mai ki a Melissa Paekau-McBride (Mel), uri nō Ngāti Māhanga, Ngāti Toa me Ngāti Raukawa.

Mel consistently goes above and beyond for our whānau, with feedback that speaks to the impact she makes every day. She is a highly valued member of our team, and her care, skill, and dedication are appreciated.

Bringing 20 years of experience as a Lead Maternity Carer, Mel offers deep expertise and unwavering commitment to her mahi. Her advanced frenulectomy training, postgraduate midwifery qualifications, and mentoring of rural midwives and the MFYP programme reflect the breadth of her contribution. Most recently, she has added ultrasound training to her kete, further strengthening access to care for whānau across remote areas of Pare Hauraki and Pare Waikato.

It is a privilege to work alongside Mel and witness the care and support she provides to whānau throughout their hapūtanga journey. Nō mātou te maringanui, Mel - Thank you for the aroha you weave into your mahi.