Mislabelling of nicotine in vapes sparks call for stricter regulations
Māori health organisation Hapai Te Hauora is furious at the contents of a report in today's NZ Medical Journal that reveals widespread mislabelling of nicotine levels on e-liquid vape products.
Two hundred and twenty one vaping products sold in New Zealand were
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RNZ News
3 hours ago
- RNZ News
'Soften Up Bro': Initiative supports tāne Māori to feel safe expressing vulnerability
Heemi Kapa-Kingi, co-founder of Soften Up Bro Photo: Heemi Kapa-Kingi It is Men's Mental Health week and a Māori clinical psychology researcher is calling on men to challenge Aotearoa's harmful "harden up" mentality. Soften Up Bro co-founder and a PhD candidate Heemi Kapa-Kingi told RNZ the idea for Soften Up Bro came around 5 years ago when he and a close friend found themselves going through a difficult time mentally. Talking openly with eachother, Kapa-Kingi said, was "therapeutic, "useful" and "quite pragmatic". "Based on that interaction [and] experience, we decided to look at how we could generalise that experience for all tāne Māori across Aotearoa, who often find it difficult to talk about emotions, about personal issues and struggles with others. "The solution they often fall towards is holding it in and letting it manifest in its own way, which is often unhelpful or not useful for the person that's going through that particular experience." Through the Soften Up Bro kaupapa, Kapa-Kingi has facilitated a number of wānanga looking to give tāne Māori some practical advice and skills to overcome their mental hardship. The initiative is grounded in te ao Māori values and supports men to better understand emotional well-being and feel safe expressing vulnerability. The name is a play on "harden up bro", a common phrase which Kapa-Kingi said many men grown up hearing their whole lives. "[It leads to] difficulty with expressing our emotion, difficulty with vulnerability, difficulty with opening up, difficulty, even, articulating the things that tāne are going through - they're all very common. "When it comes to the tāne Māori experience, unfortunately, we have high rates of mental health issues, suicidality which are very particular to our approach and, a lot of the solutions are aimed at decreasing those statistics and supporting more tāne Māori are often based on a very Māori cultural way." Heemi Kapa-Kingi (centre), Soften Up Bro co-founder, PhD candidate, clinical psychology researcher (Faculty of Science) at the University of Auckland. Photo: Soften Up Bro Using indigenuos bodies of knowledge were often the most effective way to break through with Māori and all other populations and cultures, Kapa-Kingi said. "That is a unique experience of Maori, through deculturation, through loss of identity and reo, loss of family units, things of that nature have definitely influenced our particular experience. "We can, though, take a macro level look at the whole of Aotearoa and go actually, this is something that is also seen across tāne and across groups where we just find it so hard and so awkward, almost embarrassing in some cases to tell people that we're struggling." Kapa-Kingi the mentality around "harden up bro" did not exist among pre-colonial Māori who felt free to express themselves openly, particularly in public settings. "If it wasn't with our tūpuna at that time, it had to come from somewhere else. What we're seeing is that this whole 'harden up' lifestyle and mentality has been borne out of colonisation and Western ideologies, which is often very conservative, very refrained, very composed, and leaves you feeling quite hollow as a being. "It's really infiltrated a lot of our daily activities and our thoughts over the day, whether that be we seeing someone else struggling so we tell them to harden up and we often tell ourselves that because any display of vulnerability may be seen as weakness and may be seen as an opportunity for others to take advantage of you." Kapa-Kingi said tangihanga were an example of when Māori men could feel free to use the full spectrum of their emotions. "Honesty… it's such an authentic time to be. If we use tangihanga as an example, we can grieve openly and can really let a lot of stuff out. The opposite would be no grief process or a short window to grieve and then be left with all these unmet and unrequited feelings, that were never able to be expressed. "I do think that that's a prime example of what Māoridom does and what a Māori worldview does when it allows that kind of emotional discourse to come out from the deep grief, all the way through to sometimes anger, and then also the relief of being with whānau or the respite you get from being with the people you love." Through his wānanga work, Kapa-Kingi found some men feel as though they are only allowed to fully express two emotions - happiness and anger. "They're allowed to show great joy when things are going well, and they're also allowed to express rage. In extreme cases that's towards others, at the risk of others and safety of others. But those are often tied quite deeply with the masculine model of a man. "If we really look at anger at its core, it's actually pain, it's actually grief, but it takes a lot of time to really let that anger subside to reveal that at its core." While being angry was not inherently bad, men should take time to unpack exactly where their anger was coming from. "Anger as it works, is a very invigorating emotion, and it gets you up and gets you doing things. I think in the pragmatic mind and practical minds of men, that's quite useful because it can get you to do stuff. "But if we don't spend time really understanding what the anger is and breaking down where it came from, which is typically from a point of pain it off, it seems unreal, irrational or unjustified. "Anger can be helpful, but if it's the only thing you have, it's overwhelming. We should spend just as much time understanding where that anger comes from and, you'll typically find that it's actually pain or sadness." The way mental health solutions were framed was also important, Kapa-Kingi said. "If you put it down to something pragmatic, I think men are instantly drawn to the kaupapa because it's seen as a skill, it's seen as something that's useful, something that's applicable to their daily lives. As true as that is, I also wish that it didn't take such a pragmatic framing for tāne to show up for themselves. "I think that the emotional practise and emotional teaching that we give through Soften Up Bro can [help] just because it's good, just because you need. It doesn't have to be because this will be helpful for my family, or this will be helpful for my partner. I think just showing up for yourself and just having a time for yourself is also powerful. "The way that we have framed it in the past is that it is skill set, and it is. It does require practise, it does require application, but don't lose sight of who it's for - and that's you."
Scoop
13 hours ago
- Scoop
Opportunities Identified To Strengthen Equitable Access To Midwifery Continuity Of Care
Press Release – NZ College Of Midwives A new analysis commissioned by Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora, Analysis of claims under the Primary Maternity Services Notice, reinforces the vital role of the midwifery lead maternity carer (LMC) model of care in delivering quality maternity report recognises that continuity of care is the standard that all pregnant women, gender diverse people and their whānau should be able to access and shows that three quarters of women receive care from an LMC across the full course of pregnancy, labour, and the postnatal period. The findings provide strong evidence for Health NZ to invest in strengthening and supporting the LMC model to ensure equitable access for whānau who don't currently receive full continuity of care. The analysis of 2022 maternity care data shows that 91.5% of women registered with an LMC in pregnancy and over 95% of LMCs are midwives. This highlights LMC midwives' commitment to meet communities' needs despite a 40% workforce shortage at that time. However, the data also highlights inequity of access to midwifery care, driven by significant workforce shortages in Auckland, Counties Manukau, and Hutt Valley. These shortages disproportionately affect Māori, Pacific, Indian, and MELAA families. The College has long been calling for targeted investment to expand access to midwifery continuity of care and to establish navigational support to register with a midwife in pregnancy. This report provides clear data supporting that call — especially in regions facing chronic midwife shortages and among communities that lack equitable access to care. 'The Kahu Taurima policy work being undertaken by Health NZ offers a critical opportunity to reimagine maternity funding and workforce strategies,' says Alison Eddy, CE of the College of Midwives. 'We have strong evidence and a dedicated midwifery workforce. Now is the time to back our maternity system with the investment it needs to deliver equitable access to continuity of care for all.' Additional information Analysis of Claims under the Primary Maternity Services Notice 1. What is this report about? The report analyses payment data under the Primary Maternity Services Notice to understand how maternity care was accessed and provided in 2022. It focuses particularly on continuity of care provided by Lead Maternity Carers (LMCs), most of whom are midwives. 2. Why was 2022 such a significant year for midwifery? In 2022, midwifery was the most acutely understaffed health profession in Aotearoa, with a documented workforce shortage of around 40%. Despite this, the majority of women still received continuous care from midwives—an achievement that deserves recognition. 3. What positive findings are highlighted in the report? • 95.2% of LMCs were midwives. • 91.5% of pregnant women were registered with an LMC. • 74% received full continuity of care from a single midwife across antenatal, birth, and postnatal care. • 89% of clients who registered with an LMC midwife received all care modules. • 93.3% of women received labour care from a midwife they had met during pregnancy. These figures are especially impressive given the workforce strain at the time. 4. Does the report show problems with access to care? Yes, but the issue is more nuanced than the framing suggests. About 8.2% of birthing women in 2022 didn't access an LMC during pregnancy. This access issue was not related to rurality, but was strongly linked to ethnicity and concentrated in a few districts: Auckland, Counties Manukau, Hutt Valley, and Marlborough. The report is not able to clarify the reasons people did not receive LMC midwifery care. 5. Is continuity of care still the standard in NZ? Yes. Despite significant system pressure, three out of four women received complete care from a single LMC midwife. Even where more than one midwife was involved, most women still received all modules of care (antenatal, birth, postnatal), showing the commitment of midwives to providing wraparound support. 6. What does the report say about postnatal care models? The report found that 10% of midwives claimed only for postnatal care, mostly in Auckland and Hutt Valley. This indicates that 90% of midwives continued to offer care across the full maternity spectrum. While some practice models split care stages, continuity remains a key feature of most midwifery practice. 7. Were there any issues with the report's data or analysis? Yes. The analysis combines data from two different sources, one of which (MAT) appears to cover only five months and ends in December. This could skew results, especially as women due over the Christmas period may be less likely to have access to full continuity. Some statistical methods and definitions (e.g. what constitutes a change of LMC) are also unclear, which may impact interpretation. 8. What are the areas for improvement? The report reveals: • Ethnic inequities in access to LMC continuity of care. • Regional variations, particularly in urban centres under workforce strain. • Opportunities to improve postnatal continuity and reduce care fragmentation. These findings point to the need for targeted, equity-focused investment to ensure improved access to the optimal model of care. 9. What does the College of Midwives recommend? We are calling for: • Sustainable investment in the midwifery workforce to ensure consistent coverage and continuity. • Targeted support in high-need areas to address inequity in access. • Funded navigational support for whānau needing to access maternity care • Funding and policy reform to protect and strengthen continuity of care models. • Recognition of the resilience and professionalism of midwives, who continue to deliver high-quality care even under pressure.
Scoop
14 hours ago
- Scoop
Opportunities Identified To Strengthen Equitable Access To Midwifery Continuity Of Care
Press Release – NZ College Of Midwives The Kahu Taurima policy work being undertaken by Health NZ offers a critical opportunity to reimagine maternity funding and workforce strategies, says Alison Eddy, CE of the College of Midwives. A new analysis commissioned by Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora, Analysis of claims under the Primary Maternity Services Notice, reinforces the vital role of the midwifery lead maternity carer (LMC) model of care in delivering quality maternity care. The report recognises that continuity of care is the standard that all pregnant women, gender diverse people and their whānau should be able to access and shows that three quarters of women receive care from an LMC across the full course of pregnancy, labour, and the postnatal period. The findings provide strong evidence for Health NZ to invest in strengthening and supporting the LMC model to ensure equitable access for whānau who don't currently receive full continuity of care. The analysis of 2022 maternity care data shows that 91.5% of women registered with an LMC in pregnancy and over 95% of LMCs are midwives. This highlights LMC midwives' commitment to meet communities' needs despite a 40% workforce shortage at that time. However, the data also highlights inequity of access to midwifery care, driven by significant workforce shortages in Auckland, Counties Manukau, and Hutt Valley. These shortages disproportionately affect Māori, Pacific, Indian, and MELAA families. The College has long been calling for targeted investment to expand access to midwifery continuity of care and to establish navigational support to register with a midwife in pregnancy. This report provides clear data supporting that call — especially in regions facing chronic midwife shortages and among communities that lack equitable access to care. 'The Kahu Taurima policy work being undertaken by Health NZ offers a critical opportunity to reimagine maternity funding and workforce strategies,' says Alison Eddy, CE of the College of Midwives. 'We have strong evidence and a dedicated midwifery workforce. Now is the time to back our maternity system with the investment it needs to deliver equitable access to continuity of care for all.' Additional information Analysis of Claims under the Primary Maternity Services Notice 1. What is this report about? The report analyses payment data under the Primary Maternity Services Notice to understand how maternity care was accessed and provided in 2022. It focuses particularly on continuity of care provided by Lead Maternity Carers (LMCs), most of whom are midwives. 2. Why was 2022 such a significant year for midwifery? In 2022, midwifery was the most acutely understaffed health profession in Aotearoa, with a documented workforce shortage of around 40%. Despite this, the majority of women still received continuous care from midwives—an achievement that deserves recognition. 3. What positive findings are highlighted in the report? • 95.2% of LMCs were midwives. • 91.5% of pregnant women were registered with an LMC. • 74% received full continuity of care from a single midwife across antenatal, birth, and postnatal care. • 89% of clients who registered with an LMC midwife received all care modules. • 93.3% of women received labour care from a midwife they had met during pregnancy. These figures are especially impressive given the workforce strain at the time. 4. Does the report show problems with access to care? Yes, but the issue is more nuanced than the framing suggests. About 8.2% of birthing women in 2022 didn't access an LMC during pregnancy. This access issue was not related to rurality, but was strongly linked to ethnicity and concentrated in a few districts: Auckland, Counties Manukau, Hutt Valley, and Marlborough. The report is not able to clarify the reasons people did not receive LMC midwifery care. 5. Is continuity of care still the standard in NZ? Yes. Despite significant system pressure, three out of four women received complete care from a single LMC midwife. Even where more than one midwife was involved, most women still received all modules of care (antenatal, birth, postnatal), showing the commitment of midwives to providing wraparound support. 6. What does the report say about postnatal care models? The report found that 10% of midwives claimed only for postnatal care, mostly in Auckland and Hutt Valley. This indicates that 90% of midwives continued to offer care across the full maternity spectrum. While some practice models split care stages, continuity remains a key feature of most midwifery practice. 7. Were there any issues with the report's data or analysis? Yes. The analysis combines data from two different sources, one of which (MAT) appears to cover only five months and ends in December. This could skew results, especially as women due over the Christmas period may be less likely to have access to full continuity. Some statistical methods and definitions (e.g. what constitutes a change of LMC) are also unclear, which may impact interpretation. 8. What are the areas for improvement? The report reveals: • Ethnic inequities in access to LMC continuity of care. • Regional variations, particularly in urban centres under workforce strain. • Opportunities to improve postnatal continuity and reduce care fragmentation. These findings point to the need for targeted, equity-focused investment to ensure improved access to the optimal model of care. 9. What does the College of Midwives recommend? We are calling for: • Sustainable investment in the midwifery workforce to ensure consistent coverage and continuity. • Targeted support in high-need areas to address inequity in access. • Funded navigational support for whānau needing to access maternity care • Funding and policy reform to protect and strengthen continuity of care models. • Recognition of the resilience and professionalism of midwives, who continue to deliver high-quality care even under pressure.
