He Hono Wāhine continues its mahi (work) within RANZCOG, grounded in the vision of excellence and equity for Māori in women’s health, and to uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi across obstetrics and gynaecology. Over the past year, the rōpū (group) has consolidated its foundations, grown in leadership, and progressed work that is increasingly visible across the College and the wider health system.
Leadership and Representation: A Significant Transition
Recent changes have led to transition and progress for He Hono Wāhine and RANZCOG. Dr Leigh Duncan, who has served as He Hono Wāhine Chair with dedication since the establishment of the committee, was elected to the RANZCOG Board for the 14th Council, becoming the first indigenous person to be voted onto the Board in the College’s history. This is a significant milestone, not only for Māori members, but for RANZCOG as a whole, reflecting a growing commitment to indigenous representation at the highest levels of governance.
Dr Duncan’s appointment represents an opportunity to bring equity focused perspectives and lived experience directly into Board level decision‑making, strengthening the College’s ability to meet its obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Following this transition, I have taken on the role of Chair of He Hono Wāhine. The focus of this next chapter is on continuity and momentum, building on the strong foundation established under Leigh’s leadership, while continuing to expand the rōpū’s impact, relationships, and strategic influence across the College.
He Hono Wāhine will continue to ensure Māori voices, knowledge systems, and lived realities inform decision‑making across RANZCOG. The rōpū provides cultural leadership and strategic advice, supporting members and the College to engage in equity‑focused practice that improves outcomes for wāhine Māori and their whānau (family).
Strengthening the Workforce: Introducing the Kaiāwhina Role
A recent development for He Hono Wāhine and RANZCOG has been the establishment of the Kaiāwhina role, a practical initiative grounded in evidence and strategic intent. The role was a key recommendation arising from research undertaken by Allen + Clarke Consulting into Māori trainee recruitment and retention within RANZCOG, which identified the need for strengthened cultural, relational, and navigational support across the training pathway for our Māori trainees. With the increasing number of Māori and Pacific trainees, this role will allow support and relationship building to sustain these growing numbers.
The research highlighted that Māori trainees often experience additional burdens within clinical training environments, including cultural isolation, limited access to tailored support, and cultural load. The Kaiāwhina role directly responds to these findings by providing dedicated support that is culturally informed, relational, and responsive to the lived realities of Māori members and trainees.
The Kaiāwhina role is also explicitly aligned with actions in RANZCOG’s Te Rautaki Māori me te Ara Whakamua, which commits the College to strengthening Māori workforce participation, retention, and wellbeing.
In practical terms, the Kaiāwhina role supports Māori trainees to engage with the College in ways that are mana‑enhancing, assists with connection and advocacy, and helps navigate systems that can otherwise feel opaque or inaccessible. Importantly, it also strengthens the collective capacity of He Hono Wāhine itself, supporting coordination of kaupapa, improving communication, and enabling sustained progress on priorities identified by Māori.
As the pilot begins, it is expected to contribute to improved experiences for Māori trainees and members, stronger pathways into leadership, and a more equitable and supportive environment within RANZCOG. Alongside this role, RANZCOG continues to support Māori and Pacific applicants in first consideration for ITP placements, and additional recognition in requests for changes to training rotations.
Cultural Guidance and Continuity: Welcoming our Kaumatua
He Hono Wāhine is honoured to welcome Tau Huirama as its Kaumatua Tane, following the passing of Luke Crawford in December 2024. Luke held this role with deep mana and generosity, providing cultural guidance, wisdom, and steadfast support to He Hono Wāhine, the Aotearoa New Zealand office, and wider RANZCOG. His contribution continues to be felt, and he is remembered with respect and gratitude for the legacy he leaves within He Hono Wāhine and the College.
Luke Crawford speaking at Aotearoa ASM 2024.
Tau is stepping into this role to continue the cultural leadership within RANZCOG while bringing his own whakaaro (thought, understanding), experience, and presence to the work. His appointment ensures that He Hono Wāhine and RANZCOG continues to be grounded in tikanga Māori and intergenerational knowledge as it navigates the complexities of governance, advocacy, and tikanga within RANZCOG.
Importantly, Tau takes on the role of Kaumatua Tane, sitting alongside Wendy Dallas‑Katoa as Kaumatua Wahine. This balance is significant, reflecting tikanga Māori and affirming the value of complementary leadership across wāhine (women) and tāne (men). Together, they provide cultural guidance that supports holistic decision‑making, strengthens relationships, and ensures kaupapa Māori is upheld with integrity and care.
Progressing Te Rautaki Māori me te Ara Whakamua
The work of He Hono Wāhine is guided by Te Rautaki Māori me te Ara Whakamua, RANZCOG’s Māori strategy and action plan, which sets out a framework for advancing equity, strengthening Māori leadership, and embedding Te Tiriti o Waitangi across the College’s structures and practices. The rautaki provides a clear strategic foundation for He Hono Wāhine’s role in advising, advocating, and supporting members and the College.
As the rautaki timeline continues, He Hono Wāhine is undertaking a process of identifying priority actions for the next 12 months. This work is focused on translating strategic commitments into achievable, high‑impact actions that align with both the rautaki and the College’s wider strategic goals.
Stay Connected
The mahi of He Hono Wāhine is collective. RANZCOG members are encouraged to engage with the Te Rautaki Māori me te Ara Whakamua, and the wider mahi of He Hono Wāhine, by reflecting on equity in their own practice, supporting advocacy efforts, and contributing to conversations that strengthen the College’s response to inequity.
If you have any questions or contributions, please contact the Aotearoa New Zealand office via [email protected].
