Aims of the Kahu Taurima programme
In Aotearoa New Zealand, over 60,000 babies are born each year. But we know that the current health system does not work well for many, especially for Māori, Pacific, and disabled families.
Whānau have told us they want a system that is:
- culturally safe
- easy to access
- free from discrimination.
Kahu Taurima is about making this vision a reality — ensuring every pēpi and their whānau has the best start in life.
With wrap-around services that adapt to the unique needs of families, we are building a healthier future for our tamariki and setting up lifelong wellbeing for all.
Key intiatives
We are building a more responsive, connected system, with services that are customised to the diverse needs of whānau.
The Well Child Tamariki Ora service is for all children and their whānau in Aotearoa. The service is designed to support you and to help your child to grow and develop to their full potential.
Every child in Aotearoa is entitled to free Well Child Tamariki Ora services. The Well Child Tamariki Ora programme provides a schedule of 12 health assessments including screenings and whānau support from birth through to school entry.
Visits focus on:
- child growth and development
- family wellbeing
- early identification of health, developmental, and social needs.
These visits give parents and caregivers trusted advice, answer questions, and where needed link in with other services to make sure children are developing well.
Through Kahu Taurima, we are creating a way to make sure every whānau gets the care they are entitled to, in the way that works best for them. We call this approach Services for All Whānau. It means recognising that some families may need care that reflects their culture, values, or unique circumstances, while others may need extra support for parents or children with disabilities.
Services for All whānau is a universal way of working that wraps services around every family. It is flexible and inclusive to make sure services are tailored to each whānau needs. This approach offers parents and caregivers care and support, enabling them and their tamariki to thrive.
A key part of Kahu Taurima is strengthening support for whānau who experience the loss of their pepi.
To do this, we are developing a national Perinatal Bereavement Care Pathway, guided by a Technical Advisory Group. This pathway:
- aims to make sure whānau across the country can access high-quality, culturally responsive care, no matter where they live
- will map out all aspects of care required, from initial diagnosis and support to transitioning back into the community and navigating future pregnancies
- reflects recommendations from the Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee and builds on previous research and discovery work.
Perinatal Bereavement Support Environmental Scan Reportexternal link
Triennial Maternity Consumer Survey – Bereaved Whānau (Technical Report 2)external link
We are also working on major changes to the maternity system. We want every parent to feel supported, safe, and empowered throughout pregnancy and early parenthood. As part of this we are working to create better ways for whānau to access maternity care that is:
- equitable
- accessible
- holistic
- coordinated
- tailored to their unique circumstances
- relevant to the unique needs of different regions and communities.
We want to work in a transparent and connected way with whānau at the centre, linking up:
- community needs
- workforce needs
- the needs of the people who design and commission maternity services.
This is the vision for locally-tailored, regionally facilitated, nationally enabled health services.
This journey is about partnership. We are working with healthcare providers, midwives, community leaders, and whānau across the country to build a system that truly reflects and serves the needs of our communities.
Kahu Taurima updates
Aims of the Kahu Taurima programme
In Aotearoa New Zealand, over 60,000 babies are born each year. But we know that the current health system does not work well for many, especially for Māori, Pacific, and disabled families.
Whānau have told us they want a system that is:
- culturally safe
- easy to access
- free from discrimination.
Kahu Taurima is about making this vision a reality — ensuring every pēpi and their whānau has the best start in life.
With wrap-around services that adapt to the unique needs of families, we are building a healthier future for our tamariki and setting up lifelong wellbeing for all.
Key intiatives
We are building a more responsive, connected system, with services that are customised to the diverse needs of whānau.
The Well Child Tamariki Ora service is for all children and their whānau in Aotearoa. The service is designed to support you and to help your child to grow and develop to their full potential.
Every child in Aotearoa is entitled to free Well Child Tamariki Ora services. The Well Child Tamariki Ora programme provides a schedule of 12 health assessments including screenings and whānau support from birth through to school entry.
Visits focus on:
- child growth and development
- family wellbeing
- early identification of health, developmental, and social needs.
These visits give parents and caregivers trusted advice, answer questions, and where needed link in with other services to make sure children are developing well.
Through Kahu Taurima, we are creating a way to make sure every whānau gets the care they are entitled to, in the way that works best for them. We call this approach Services for All Whānau. It means recognising that some families may need care that reflects their culture, values, or unique circumstances, while others may need extra support for parents or children with disabilities.
Services for All whānau is a universal way of working that wraps services around every family. It is flexible and inclusive to make sure services are tailored to each whānau needs. This approach offers parents and caregivers care and support, enabling them and their tamariki to thrive.
A key part of Kahu Taurima is strengthening support for whānau who experience the loss of their pepi.
To do this, we are developing a national Perinatal Bereavement Care Pathway, guided by a Technical Advisory Group. This pathway:
- aims to make sure whānau across the country can access high-quality, culturally responsive care, no matter where they live
- will map out all aspects of care required, from initial diagnosis and support to transitioning back into the community and navigating future pregnancies
- reflects recommendations from the Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee and builds on previous research and discovery work.
Perinatal Bereavement Support Environmental Scan Reportexternal link
Triennial Maternity Consumer Survey – Bereaved Whānau (Technical Report 2)external link
We are also working on major changes to the maternity system. We want every parent to feel supported, safe, and empowered throughout pregnancy and early parenthood. As part of this we are working to create better ways for whānau to access maternity care that is:
- equitable
- accessible
- holistic
- coordinated
- tailored to their unique circumstances
- relevant to the unique needs of different regions and communities.
We want to work in a transparent and connected way with whānau at the centre, linking up:
- community needs
- workforce needs
- the needs of the people who design and commission maternity services.
This is the vision for locally-tailored, regionally facilitated, nationally enabled health services.
This journey is about partnership. We are working with healthcare providers, midwives, community leaders, and whānau across the country to build a system that truly reflects and serves the needs of our communities.