Kotahitanga—connection, unity, and belonging: perspectives of Māori mothers on a kaupapa Māori group intervention for perinatal mental health

In Aotearoa New Zealand, perinatal mental health outcomes and maternal suicide rates demonstrate that Māori (the Indigenous peoples of New Zealand) mothers and birthing parents have the worst outcomes relative to other ethnic groups. Little research exists exploring Indigenous approaches to perinatal mental health or the perspectives of Indigenous peoples on perinatal mental health interventions. This article explores a kaupapa Māori (Māori approach) perinatal mental health intervention, offering insights around its responsiveness to the needs of Māori birthing parents. This qualitative study was guided by kaupapa Māori research methodology and explores the experiences of 11 Māori mothers who had accessed a kaupapa Māori group intervention for perinatal mental illness. Results demonstrate that future service design of perinatal mental health services should consider the incorporation of whanaungatanga (relationship building) and tikanga (cultural customs, conventions) to improve mental health outcomes and elevate the mana (prestige, power) of Māori during the perinatal period.