Submission on the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) (3 Day Postnatal Stay) Amendment Bill

Our submission highlights the State’s responsibilities in relation to mokopuna rights and highlights relevant guidance from the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. It also highlights the inequities that exist for mothers and parents in Aotearoa New Zealand, and shares what we have heard from mokopuna about what matters most in their early years.

While Mana Mokopuna supports the intent behind this Bill to strengthen perinatal supports, we note that it is only one piece of the continuity of care required to enable a strong start in life for all mokopuna.

Mana Mokopuna strongly recommends that further work is done to build on these changes to maternal care. We advocate for further resourcing, funding and services (including culturally-safe services) to improve outcomes for mokopuna in their first 2,000 days.