The burden of health inequities borne by Indigenous peoples can be overwhelming,
especially when mothers and newborns’ lives are at stake and health services seem slow to
invest in responsiveness. In Aotearoa (New Zealand), urgent action is required to
eliminate persistent systemic inequities for Māori (Indigenous) whānau (family collectives
that extend beyond the household). This Kaupapa Māori (by Māori, for Māori) qualitative
study aimed to explore the views of health practitioners identified as champions by whānau
of preterm Māori infants. Ten health practitioners were interviewed and asked about their
involvement with the whānau, their role in explanations and communication, and their
thoughts on whānau coping. Interview data were analysed using interpretative
phenomenological analysis. Three superordinate themes were identified: working together in
partnership, a problem shared is a problem halved, and sacred space. Collaboration between
health practitioners and with whānau was important to the champions and central to their
goal of enabling whānau autonomy. This was built on a foundation of connectivity,
relationships, and a full appreciation that childbirth is a sacred time that is
potentially disrupted when an infant is born prematurely. The values- and
relationship-based practices of these champions protected and uplifted whānau. They showed
that health practitioners have important roles in both the elimination of inequities and
the sustaining of Māori self-determination. This championship is an exemplar of what
culturally safe care looks like in day-to-day practice with Māori and is a standard that
other health practitioners should be held to.