In-Home Manaaki
Practical support, connection and a little more breathing room
Becoming a māmā can be beautiful, transformative, and incredibly demanding. Between caring for pēpi, looking after other tamariki, keeping the whare running and trying to meet your own needs, even the smallest everyday tasks can begin to feel overwhelming. We know that māmā were never meant to carry this load alone.
Our In-Home Manaaki sessions provide practical, compassionate support for māmā during hapūtanga and the early stages of motherhood. Our purpose is not to tell you how to parent or take over your whare. We are there to walk alongside you, lighten the load and create space for you to rest, reset and focus on yourself and your whānau.
Each visit is approximately 2-3 hours long and is always carried out by two trained Ūkaipō kaimahi. Our kaimahi work in pairs to help ensure every visit is safe, supportive and responsive to the needs of each māmā.
What can happen during a visit?
Every māmā and every whare is different, so we will kōrero with you about what would be most helpful on the day. Support could include:
Preparing a simple meal or helping with kai
Washing dishes and tidying shared living spaces
Folding washing or helping with other light household tasks
Caring for or holding pēpi while you shower, rest or take a moment for yourself
Helping you feel more organised and prepared for the days ahead
Providing a listening ear and space to kōrero without judgement
Connecting you with other services or support where needed
Sometimes the most valuable part of a visit may simply be having someone alongside you—someone who sees you, listens to you and reminds you that you do not have to do everything on your own.
Ko wai ngā kaimahi? Who are our kaimahi?
Our kaimahi are Māori māmā themselves. They understand firsthand how demanding motherhood can be - the mental load, the sleepless nights, the pressure to keep everything going and the challenges that can arise during pregnancy and postpartum. Many have navigated their own postpartum or wellbeing challenges, and so can offer genuine empathy, understanding and support without judgement.
Our kaimahi are there to support you. They are not there to judge you or how your whare looks. They are there to listen, lend a hand and help you feel supported during what can be an overwhelming season of life.
All kaimahi are police vetted and receive training to ensure they can provide safe, appropriate and compassionate support. Two kaimahi will attend every visit for the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved, which means extra hands on board to help.
Mā wai tēnei? Who is this for?
Our In-Home Manaaki sessions are intended for hapū and new Māori māmā who are experiencing stress, isolation, overwhelm or challenges with their emotional and mental wellbeing, and who would benefit from practical support and connection at home.
Before visits begin, we will have an initial kōrero with you to learn about your circumstances, understand what support would be most useful and make sure the service is right for you. Participation is voluntary, and your privacy, dignity, choices and mana will be respected throughout.
For everyone’s wellbeing and safety:
Māmā must consent to receiving the service and be present during each visit.
The whare must provide a safe environment for māmā, tamariki and our kaimahi.
Visits will be arranged in advance at a time agreed upon by māmā and the Ūkaipō team.
Our kaimahi provide light, practical household and wellbeing support. They do not provide professional cleaning, medical care or unsupervised childcare.
Kaimahi will not change pēpi kākahū or kope.
If needs arise that sit outside our service, we can help connect māmā with an appropriate health, social or community service.
He aha te utu? What is the cost?
Ūkaipō has been fortunate to receive funding from the Mental Health Foundation to deliver a limited number of In-Home Manaaki sessions. This means there is no cost for eligible māmā and whānau to receive this support.
As the number of funded spaces is limited, we will have an initial kōrero with each māmā to understand their needs, confirm their eligibility and ensure this is the right fit for them. If we are unable to offer you a place immediately, we may add you to our waitlist or help connect you with other appropriate support.
Me pēhea te tono? How can I access the service?
Māmā can refer themselves or be referred by a health professional (midwife, GP, Plunket nurse), support service, whānau member, friend or another trusted person - with their knowledge and consent.
To make a referral, simply complete our online referral form below. Submitting a referral does not automatically guarantee a place, as the number of funded sessions is limited. However, we will do our best to support each māmā and, where appropriate, help connect them with other services.