Ngati Ruanui

Breastfeeding Kaiawhina

Ko Taranaki toku Maunga
Ko Aotea toku Waka
Ko Wanganui toku Awa
Ko Ngati Ruanui toku Iwi
Ko NgaRauru toku Hapu
Ko Ihu Puku toku Marae
Ko Deli Ives ahau

I am so stoked to have been appointed the Breastfeeding Health Promoter Kaiawhina for Nga Kete Matauranga Pounamu Trust.

My task is to get out into our community to start promoting our Peer Counsellor Programme. I meet potential breastfeeding mums or mums who have successfully breastfed their tamariki and recruit them (willingly of course) to support other mothers within our community, setting up support groups, provide ongoing training and resources, and culturally appropriate advice.

There's going to be some exciting times ahead. I am truly passionate about Breastfeeding our Pepi and I am aware how difficult Breastfeeding can be but with lots of support for our wahine and whanau, I hope we can achieve better outcomes for our maori whanau.

My previous experience working at Awarua Social and Health Services as the Mother and Pepi Kaimahi gave me the opportunity to work alongside some wonderful whanau and awesome organizations. I am looking forward to taking my mahi to the next level and support a wider community to exclusively breastfeed or at least maintain breastfeeding. So wish me luck whanau.

I'm available between 9am and 2.30pm Monday to Friday. After that, I'm a glorified Taxi Driver, Head Chef, Financial Advisor and Counsellor for my two tamariki Jerone (12 going on 18) and Bailey (7). I work for them, they have trained me well. I also belong to Aaron Ives, currently bossing everyone around at SIT in the Audio Engingeering Dept and Multi Media Dept.

Na Deli Ives