Programme
Early bird registration
closing prior to:
Friday 18 July 2025
Wednesday 27 August
Pre-conference workshops
We have pre-conference workshops this year. These workshops are available for conference delegates at an additional cost. Subject to availability, so be sure to reserve your spot early!
** Pre-conference workshops: Must be registered to attend the conference, may attend more than one workshop.
8.30am – 12.30pm
A | Tūranga Kaupapa #1 (Morning workshop)
Ngā Māia
-
This workshop is specifically designed for registered midwives.
This workshop session, brought to you by Ngā Māia Māori Midwives o Aotearoa, enables midwives to explore cultural safety and reflect on Tūranga Kaupapa in practice. The Midwifery Council require that within the 2024-2027 recertification cycle all midwives in Aotearoa must complete 8 hours of Tūranga Kaupapa cultural safety education, and Ngā Māia are their accredited provider. This is a great opportunity to meet your recertification requirements while attending conference and immerse yourself in a wonderfully crafted, immersive education experience. Ngā Māia and the College have partnered to bring you this opportunity at a significantly discounted price – a conference super special!
9.00am – 12.00pm
B | Aromatherapy essentials for maternity
Sarah Ballard
-
Aromaternity workshops offer practical evidence-informed aromatherapy education to enable safe use of essential oils during pregnancy, labour and birth, and beyond.
The Bud to Bloom workshop is an in-depth workshop designed to be fun and interactive! Participants learn what essential oils are and how they exert physiological and psychological effects on the body. An exploration of six specifically chosen essential oils will provide education and confidence for their use within pregnancy, labour and/or birth.
A content booklet is provided, and participants will also make a bespoke essential oil birth blend bottled in a 10ml roll-on vessel to take away.
9.00am – 12.00pm
C | Enhancing pelvic health: Practical tools for midwives
Melissa Davidson
-
Pregnancy and childbirth bring about remarkable changes to a woman's body, encompassing physiological, physical, hormonal, and psychological transformations. While some women navigate these changes with ease, many others experience significant pelvic health challenges. These can include urinary incontinence (affecting 40-65% during pregnancy and 30% post-partum), perineal tears (up to 85%), levator ani avulsions (15-52%), withdrawal from social and physical activities (50%), and sexual dysfunction (over 15%). These issues can have a lasting impact on a woman's life.
In this workshop, we will explore simple and effective tools that pelvic health physiotherapists use, which midwives can seamlessly integrate into their practice to enhance patient care throughout the childbearing year. We will also discuss easy-to-implement prevention strategies to ensure the best long-term outcomes for your patients and address common misconceptions about pelvic floor muscles and health.
9.00am – 10.30am
D | Navigating equitable and best practice for the management of iron-deficiency anaemia in pregnancy and postpartum: What is the evidence, and where are the gaps
Calje Esther
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Background: Non-anaemic iron-deficiency (ID) and iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA) are surprisingly complex, common, global public health problems that impact pregnancy and well-being outcomes for women/people and their babies, including after birth1. Maternal IDA is strongly associated with maternal morbidities, mortalities2-3, social determinants of health and inequities in health care 1,4-6. Guidelines for maternal ID/IDA are variable and management of ID/IDA remains challenging including in Aotearoa6,7, likely due to underlying evidence gaps. Recent literature on maternal ID/IDA highlights an urgent need for system interventions and widespread education; to raise awareness and improve equitable women/people-centred care4,5. Midwives in Aotearoa are uniquely situated to play a role in addressing inequities in the management of maternal ID/IDA.
Learning outcomes: To explore midwifery knowledge, and review international8-10 and regional guidelines for the management of maternal ID/IDA. We will update midwives on the latest evidence and evidence gaps for maternal ID/IDA including aetiologies, adverse outcomes, prevention, Patient Blood Management9,11, screening, interpretation of laboratory results, diagnosis, treatment options12-15, and follow-up. We aim to provide a positive environment for midwives to enhance their knowledge, explore barriers to care for pregnant women/people, and inspire practice in the management of maternal ID/IDA.
Interactive learning: We will actively encourage discussion throughout the session to share midwifery practice insights, knowledge and evidence on the management of ID/IDA, and future planned research. We will use online software for interactive polls to enhance engagement.
10.30am – 12.00pm
E | Topical issues for employed midwives
Caroline Conroy, MERAS
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The health sector is in a period of change. This workshop will provide an opportunity to update and discuss with employed midwives the topical changes that are occurring and their impact on employed midwives.
Current work that is underway for MERAS that impacts on employed midwives includes:
The pay equity claim for those midwives working in the maternity funded sector in primary maternity units or as caseload midwives
The senior midwife working party and job evaluation process that commenced in 2024 with Health NZ
The MERAS & Health NZ Collective negotiations with a new Collective to be ratified this year.
Discussions on the changing skill mix within our maternity services as more new graduate midwives join the workforce and the impact on new graduates and the experienced midwives supporting them.
Care capacity demand management (CCDM) and the changes occurring this year and how does this support the work midwives.
As well as the current work listed above there may well be new issues and opportunities emerging and this workshop will provide a great opportunity for employed midwives to discuss those.
This will be an interactive, flexible workshop with lots of opportunity for discussion and sharing of ideas.
1.00pm – 4.00pm
F | Perineal protection – translating evidence into midwifery practice
Robin Cronin
-
Learning outcomes
To provide midwives with the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills of perineal protection and share experiences in a supportive midwifery forum by:
Review of structures of the pelvic floor affected by perineal trauma.
Critical discussion of perineal protection in midwifery practice (history, risk factors, perineal protection ‘bundles’) by applying current evidence.
Practice of techniques for perineal trauma assessment and episiotomy incision.
Review of ACC cover for perineal injury.
Formulation key points for optimising own future perineal protection practice.
1.00pm – 2.30pm
G | The culture of deprivation
Isabella Smart
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Cultural Safety is a key part of midwifery practice. Midwives and services must act to reduce bias and improve care. The focus is usually on elements of health equity, ethnicity, gender and ability.
What is absent from Cultural Safety content is awareness raising and training to address the needs of clients who are part of The Culture of Deprivation.
Absolute poverty, discrimination and disadvantage created and maintained by economic and social deprivation is prevalent throughout Aotearoa. The impact of poverty on maternity clients extends into the outcomes of communication and care responses by maternity care providers. Babies and children who experience social and economic deprivation grow into adults who use health services. These service users have often been subject to well documented developmental impacts due to their “normal” life experiences of poverty and deprivation. The lack of understanding of The Culture of Deprivation has had, and continues to have, negative and, at times, devastating impacts on those under midwifery and maternity care. This 90 minute workshop is an opportunity for midwives and others to consider the parameters of deprivation and the “cultural norms” which can arise from it. Attendees will be strongly challenged to measure, reflect and consider their “comfort zones” and how this shapes their responses to people whose culture is deprivation. Thought-provoking real life examples of the negative impact of midwives and other health professionals are provided and will be discussed. The hope is that by individual awareness systemic change will occur.
1.00pm - 4.00pm
H | Tūranga Kaupapa #2 (Afternoon workshop)
Ngā Māia
-
This workshop is specifically designed for registered midwives.
This workshop session, brought to you by Ngā Māia Māori Midwives o Aotearoa, enables midwives to explore cultural safety and reflect on Tūranga Kaupapa in practice. The Midwifery Council require that within the 2024-2027 recertification cycle all midwives in Aotearoa must complete 8 hours of Tūranga Kaupapa cultural safety education, and Ngā Māia are their accredited provider. This is a great opportunity to meet your recertification requirements while attending conference and immerse yourself in a wonderfully crafted, immersive education experience. Ngā Māia and the College have partnered to bring you this opportunity at a significantly discounted price – a conference super special!
1.00pm – 2.30pm
I | Tukukura: Exploring practical strategies to help calm the birth space and yourself
Deb Peters
-
Learning outcomes:
Explore what influences your childbirth belief systems
Reflect on how you affect the birthing space & the people in it
Learn strategies to enable you to positively support birthing people and create a positive birthing environment
Engage in experiential breathing and relaxation exercises; tools for easier birth
Nourish yourself in the process, aroha atu, aroha mai
Interactive learning: This workshop includes interviewing, written reflection of personal beliefs and observations, brainstorming of Stress vs Relaxation responses, group discussion exploring the senses (e.g. smells, sights, sounds, etc) likes & dislikes in your work/birth space, creating language boards to help your mahi, and breathing & guided relaxation experiential learning and nourishment.
3.00pm – 4.30pm
J | The app is where it is at
Karen Palmer, Kristina Maconaghie
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“The App is where is at” – how to use the BreastFedNZ app in your practice.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Explore the 3rd edition of the BreastFedNZ app and relate app information to needs of your clients
2. Apply the app as a tool in a range of breastfeeding scenarios
3. Discuss use of the app for workforce development and training
Today’s birthing women are “digital natives” and use their phones for information and support. This session will support practitioners to integrate app use into their practise.
We will ask participants to download the app prior to the session.
This app is a tool that has been available for 10 years and has undergone 3 reviews. This 3rd edition is a complete overhaul designed to be user friendly and informative. It has multi layers, is written in 2nd person (like a conversation), is mostly gender neutral and has Te Reo Māori acknowledged and integrated throughout. It holds personal stories for peer support. It also holds numerous tools and resources for health professionals to use.
This will be an interactive session where participants can learn about the app and explore strategies to use effectively. We will use case scenarios to support use.
3.00pm – 4.30pm
K | Perinatal pathological investigations after baby loss: Answering all your questions
Kay Jones
-
Learning outcomes:
The participants will be able to:
Incorporate workshop material into their midwifery practice with understanding, compassion and competency.
Identify cultural and social nuances related to pathological investigations and the potential impact these may have on bereaved whānau and their experience of care.
Apply cultural safety principles to provide situation-sensitive bereavement care related to perinatal patholog
Facilitate bereaved whānau engagement in perinatal pathological investigations that are relevant and culturally appropriate for that specific whānau.
Examine the interpersonal interface between midwife and bereaved whānau.
Gain a working knowledge of the practicalities, sensitivities and legalities related to perinatal pathological investigations.
Interactive learning:
Participants will be encouraged to provide answers to some of the proposed questions. This acknowledges their prior knowledge and invites participation.
Participants will be able to share their own practice experiences.
Participants will be required to use critical thinking skills to consider the correct answers.
Participants will be encouraged to ask questions as we move through the workshop.
Small group exercises may be used to enable self-directed answers to questions and stimulate further discussion.
5.15pm – 7.15pm
New Zealand College of Midwives Annual General Meeting
Thursday 28 August
Our conference begins at 9.45am, giving you the flexibility to travel in the morning and only requiring one night’s accommodation.
For your convenience, there is plenty of onsite parking available at Claudelands.
The exhibition will open at 8.30am, with tea and coffee available to welcome you as you arrive.
9.45am
Mihi whakatau and opening comments
10.30am
Morning Tea amongst the exhibitors, alongside poster presentations11.00am
Keynote presentation
Prof Saraswathi Vedam
11.45am
Birth in Aotearoa: panel discussion
This panel discussion brings together a dynamic group of expert speakers who will explore the reality of giving birth in Aotearoa in 2025. This will cover a broad range of topics including outcomes, experiences, the rise of medicalisation of birth, whānau choosing to opt out of the maternity care system, the influence of screening and guidelines, and midwifery responsibility when navigating this landscape. Our experts will also reflect on how giving birth in Aotearoa today compares with an international context.
12.30pm
Setting the Scene: A New Zealand College of Midwives welcome and update
12.45pm
lunch amongst the exhibitors, alongside poster presentations1.45pm
Concurrent Session A
Abstract submissions close on Friday 23 May. We invite you to submit an abstract to be included within the conference programme, sharing your research, practice knowledge and experiences.
3.45pm
afternoon Tea amongst the exhibitors, alongside poster presentations4.15pm
Keynote presentation
Dr Ihirangi Heke
5.00pm
Lightning Talks
Enjoy dynamic 5-minute Lighting talks, delivering insightful and engaging bursts of knowledge on a range of compelling topics.
5.40pm
MIDWIVES MINGLE: Kai, laughter and good times!
Friday 29 August
8.30am
Welcome to our final day
8.35am
Joan Donley Memorial Address
8.55am
Inaugural Māori Midwifery Oration
9.15am
Keynote presentation
Supporting wellbeing: Strengthening the future of midwifery
Prof Caroline Homer
10.00am
Morning Tea amongst the exhibitors, alongside poster presentations10.30am
Concurrent Session B
Abstract submissions close on Friday 23 May. We invite you to submit an abstract to be included within the conference programme, sharing your research, practice knowledge and experiences.
12.00pm
Lunch amongst the exhibitors, alongside poster presentationsNew Zealand College of Midwives – College connection Informal drop in lunchtime session, where you can connect with College representatives, stay informed, and hear the latest updates, including a Class Action update.
1.00pm
Keynote presentation
Tina Ngata
1.45pm
The next generation of Midwives: Reflections on learning and future contributions
Students from each undergraduate school have been invited to reflect on what they have learnt during their undergraduate programme and what they will bring to midwifery as the new generation of midwives to join our profession.
2.30pm
afternoon Tea amongst the exhibitors, alongside poster presentations3.00pm
Midwifery continuity of care: panel discussion
This panel discussion brings together a fantastic group of speakers who will consider what continuity of midwifery care means in Aotearoa in 2025. Panellists will explore the evolution of our midwifery-led model of care to support both whānau and midwives, and will answer the question of whether continuity of care is still achievable, and whether it still matters
3.45pm
Humans vs Robots: Who is in charge?
Don’t miss this humorous debate in which teams of unforgettably funny and thought-provoking speakers will spark reflection and consideration of the role of technologies in contemporary midwifery practice.
4.30pm
Reflections and Conference Summary
4.45pm
Conference concludes