serving with loyalty

In 2015, a short article in the College’s Midwifery News by Pasifika Midwives Aotearoa featured the journey of Māori-Samoan midwife Horiana Thompson; sharing her life story through to obtaining her midwifery registration. It was truly an inspiration for others and definitely for her parents Jocelyn Whatuira (Ngāti Kahungunu) and Nu’ualofa Perese (Magiagi village).

As we revisit Horiana, we take a glimpse at the events that have sustained her professionally.

According to Midwifery Council records, the Counties Manukau region has seen a steady decline in LMC practitioners in recent years, compared to numbers in other areas of Tāmaki Makaurau. Meanwhile, eight years on, Horiana has continued to work in South Auckland, out of the same midwifery group that she commenced with as a new graduate - LMC Services.

Horiana credits its directors, midwife Anne Whyte and manager Tony Mansfield, who have given her unwavering support through her early years as a novice self-employed practitioner. In 2019, Horiana was voted in as chairperson of LMC Services and appointed a director given her extensive skills as a previous clerical administrator in the Women’s Health Service at Middlemore Hospital.

The continuity model has worked well for Horiana, who was Wellington-born but raised in the area of South Auckland from the age of two. She has been fortunate to have practice partners of similar ethnicity, who are also reflective of their clientele. Horiana communicates with her clients through language that is familiar and offers cultural nuances that put whānau at ease, paving the way for relationships that are honest and non-judgmental. This then opens up channels for exchanging vital information to keep themselves and their pēpi well. Her lived experience as a young mum and now a grandmother with mokopuna, opens up huge empathy as required.

During the peak of Covid-19, around labour and birth care especially, Horiana was honoured to be present for women who were impacted by the limited support allowed in the hospital setting. She felt she was able to assist those experiencing anxiety due to the fact they would ordinarily have been immersed in extended family networks but were limited by restrictions.

Practising in a region with the highest Pacific birth numbers in the country, it seems logical that a drive to increase that particular workforce would go a long way to addressing systemic cultural and inequity concerns in maternity care.

Horiana has a vision to promote Māori and Pasifika holistic midwifery care and it has begun by her support of many students who have successfully graduated. She herself was a founding ‘niece’ of PMWA’s ‘aunties’ programme and her insight into what challenges students faced in the world of clinical environments and workplace culture urged her to help others negotiate their learning pathways.

In her own whānau, Horiana proudly states that she is considered their tohunga around childbirth, as she has “walked the amazing journeys of 30 whānau members” including two mokopuna (one on her lounge floor and one in hospital).

Horiana feels that she is “role modelling for our community”. What does that look like? She replies, “I’m action”.

Fa’afetai lava Horiana, for your loyalty and service to your community and ours.

In her own whānau, Horiana proudly states that she is considered their tohunga around childbirth, as she has “walked the amazing journeys of 30 whānau members” including two mokopuna (one on her lounge floor and one in hospital).

CAROL BARTLE POLICY ANALYST