48308 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health

48308 (2024). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Associate Minister of Health: What progress, if any, has been made in the quarter April to June 2024 toward the action ‘DHBs work together with iwi, hapū and whānau, and existing breastfeeding support services, to address national and regional breastfeeding support service gaps. Report actions and progress to address gaps to the IYCFC’ under ‘Outcome 1: Learn how breastfeeding parents and their whānau have equitable access to a range of culturally appropriate breast and infant feeding supports’ within the National Breastfeeding Strategy for Aotearoa?

Hon Casey Costello: I am advised that Health New Zealand supported these initiatives: • Expansion of Breastfeeding Support Services: community providers have expanded breastfeeding support through dedicated programmes, including lactation consultants, peer support, and specialised wānanga. • Integration with Holistic Maternal Health Services: many providers effectively integrated breastfeeding support within broader maternal health initiatives, such as midwifery care, antenatal and postnatal wānanga, and Tamariki Ora services. • Cultural Empowerment through Traditional Practices: many providers incorporated traditional Māori practices, such as wahakura weaving and the use of Moka Ties, into their breastfeeding education and support, fostering cultural alignment and empowerment for whānau. • Positive Whānau Feedback: whānau across multiple providers report increased knowledge, confidence, and satisfaction with the culturally-tailored breastfeeding support, particularly where traditional practices and peer support are integrated. I am further advised that Women’s Health Action has drafted a report on breastfeeding support service gaps and this report has been submitted to the Infant and Young Child Feeding Committee (IYCFC) for consideration.