About this research
PhD Researcher: Fern Miro Smith, Ngāti Hau, Ngāpuhi, University of Auckland
Primary supervisor: Dr Jade Le Grice, University of Auckland
Project summary:
Despite Māori women undergoing abortion at higher rates than Pākehā (Ministry of Health, 2022), there is a paucity of research that explores Māori experiences of abortion and none that explore the unique pressures, tensions and considerations that taitamawahine (Māori girls, Māori non-binary people) may navigate when deciding whether to have an abortion. How then do taitamawahine in Te Tai Tokerau enact their reproductive autonomy when making decisions to have an abortion? In her research, Fern seeks to answer this question by speaking with Māori experts who work in the broad field of reproductive justice, and Māori women who accessed, or tried to access an abortion in Te Taitokerau when they were a taitamawahine. Here, she hopes to understand how taitamawahine enact, or have their reproductive and bodily autonomy restricted in the context of abortion. There is keen government interest to ensure that taitamawahine have equitable access to abortion services and this research aims to fill this gap. This research will increase our understanding of the sexual and reproductive journeys of taitamawahine to make clear recommendations to improve the provision of abortion healthcare so it’s accessible and culturally relevant to taitamawahine.
This research will increase our understanding of the sexual and reproductive journeys of taitamawahine to make clear recommendations to improve the provision of abortion healthcare so it’s accessible and culturally relevant to taitamawahine.
Kairangahau · Researchers
Dr Jade Le Grice
Ngāi Tupoto, Ngāti Korokoro, Te Pouka, Ngāti Wharara, Te Mahurehure
Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland
Jade Le Grice (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi) is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychology at the University of Auckland. Her…
Dr Jade Le Grice
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Associate Professor Donna Cormack
Associate Professor Donna Cormack
Donna has been involved in work on the collection and classification of ethnicity data in New Zealand, particularly as it relates to measuring and monitoring disparities. Most recently, Donna has been focused on work examining disparities in cancer outcomes and access to cancer services for Māori. She is involved in the Differential Colon Cancer Survival by Ethnicity in New Zealand project as well as Unequal Treatment: The Role of Health Services with Te Rōpū Rangahau Hauora a Eru Pōmare. -
Professor Sarah-Jane Paine
Professor Sarah-Jane Paine
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Professor Papaarangi Reid
Professor Papaarangi Reid
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Associate Professor Ricci Harris
Associate Professor Ricci Harris
Dr Ricci Harris (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāi Tahu) is a public health physician and Research Associate Professor at Te Rōpū Rangahau Hauora a Eru Pōmare. She has research expertise in Māori health, epidemiology (including quantitative aspects of Kaupapa Māori research) and the investigation and elimination of ethnic health inequities in New Zealand. This has included research into the classification of ethnicity, ethnic disparities in health status and receipt of health services, and the impact of social determinants (e.g. SES and racism) on Māori health and inequities. Her current… -
Dr Arama Rata
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Hana Burgess
Hana Burgess
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