Celebrating the first birth at the reopened Te Puna Wai
The Nati Pepi team is proud to share the exciting news of the first pepi born at the newly upgraded Te Puna Wai Birthing Facility in Te Puia Springs.
With the blessing of his proud parents, we’re honoured to introduce Autoia Kynan
Te Ihorangi Sharman, born 8 June 2025. Weighing in at 3.8kgs, Autoia was welcomed into the world with aroha by his mama Oriwa Atkins, Papa Cody Sharman, and midwives Vicky Henry and Ruth Chisholm. Koka Whakawhanau Rongoa Practitioner Danielle Potae was also part of the birthing team, offering tautoko for mama, pepi and whanau. A huge thank you to the whanau for allowing us to share these beautiful photo sand this special moment with our wider community.
This birth marks a meaningful milestone for hauora on the Coast. The option for hapu mama to birth closer to home has returned, supported by kaupapa Maori care and surrounded by whenua and whanau. As we look ahead, this moment represents more than just one birth, it signals a powerful shift for the next generation of pepi and mama. A future where our whanau can be born and raised in the embrace of their own communities, their own whenua, guided by our own tikanga. We’re excited for what’s to come.
Nau mai e pe, e tipue rea mo nga ra o to ao.
Caroline Thompson
General Manager Nāti Pepi.
Celebrating the first birth at the reopened Te Puna Wai
The Nati Pepi team is proud to share the exciting news of the first pepi born at the newly upgraded Te Puna Wai Birthing Facility in Te Puia Springs.
With the blessing of his proud parents, we’re honoured to introduce Autoia Kynan
Te Ihorangi Sharman, born 8 June 2025. Weighing in at 3.8kgs, Autoia was welcomed into the world with aroha by his mama Oriwa Atkins, Papa Cody Sharman, and midwives Vicky Henry and Ruth Chisholm. Koka Whakawhanau Rongoa Practitioner Danielle Potae was also part of the birthing team, offering tautoko for mama, pepi and whanau. A huge thank you to the whanau for allowing us to share these beautiful photo sand this special moment with our wider community.
This birth marks a meaningful milestone for hauora on the Coast. The option for hapu mama to birth closer to home has returned, supported by kaupapa Maori care and surrounded by whenua and whanau. As we look ahead, this moment represents more than just one birth, it signals a powerful shift for the next generation of pepi and mama. A future where our whanau can be born and raised in the embrace of their own communities, their own whenua, guided by our own tikanga. We’re excited for what’s to come.
Nau mai e pe, e tipue rea mo nga ra o to ao.
Caroline Thompson
General Manager Nāti Pepi.
Celebrating the first birth at the reopened Te Puna Wai
The Nati Pepi team is proud to share the exciting news of the first pepi born at the newly upgraded Te Puna Wai Birthing Facility in Te Puia Springs.
With the blessing of his proud parents, we’re honoured to introduce Autoia Kynan
Te Ihorangi Sharman, born 8 June 2025. Weighing in at 3.8kgs, Autoia was welcomed into the world with aroha by his mama Oriwa Atkins, Papa Cody Sharman, and midwives Vicky Henry and Ruth Chisholm. Koka Whakawhanau Rongoa Practitioner Danielle Potae was also part of the birthing team, offering tautoko for mama, pepi and whanau. A huge thank you to the whanau for allowing us to share these beautiful photo sand this special moment with our wider community.
This birth marks a meaningful milestone for hauora on the Coast. The option for hapu mama to birth closer to home has returned, supported by kaupapa Maori care and surrounded by whenua and whanau. As we look ahead, this moment represents more than just one birth, it signals a powerful shift for the next generation of pepi and mama. A future where our whanau can be born and raised in the embrace of their own communities, their own whenua, guided by our own tikanga. We’re excited for what’s to come.
Nau mai e pe, e tipue rea mo nga ra o to ao.
Caroline Thompson
General Manager Nāti Pepi.
