We are delighted to announce a new philanthropic partnership in support of Te Tātai Hauora o Hine—National Centre for Women’s Health Research Aotearoa (NCWHRA)’s incredible work.

The Ballantyne Medical Trust has established a PhD Scholarship in Maternal Health at the Centre, which has been awarded to emerging maternal health researcher Ngaire Sparkes, nō Ngāi Tūhoe, based in Te Wairoa:

Ko wai au?

Ko Panekiri te maunga, ko Waikaremoana te moana, ko Tūhoe te iwi, ko Ngaire Sparkes tāku ingoa.

Tēnā koe, my name is Ngaire Sparkes. I am a Ngāi Tūhoe wāhine from Waikaremoana, and I live in Wairoa, Hawke’s Bay.

My moemoeā (dream/aspiration) is to contribute towards strengthening Māori wellbeing.

After years of working in social services and Iwi roles, I have experienced first-hand the different struggles endured by our whānau because of systemic and structural inequities.

While working at Te Tātai Hauora o Hine and undertaking my Master’s thesis, I became inspired by the transformative potential of research to help address these inequities and facilitate better outcomes for our whānau.

Currently, I am a community-based research assistant and PhD student with Te Tātai Hauora o Hine.

For my PhD thesis, I want to use evidence provided by Hapū Whānau, as key informants, to help shape antenatal care pathways that better suit their needs and aspirations as Hapū Whānau.

On behalf of the Centre, thanks again to the Ballantyne Medical Trust for their incredible support!