Māori and Pasifika families expecting a pēpi (baby) or raising young tamariki (children) can now receive culturally tailored parenting support via their phones, with Children’s Health Queensland expanding its Connecting2u program to include messages grounded in Māori and Pasifika cultural knowledge, language and values.
The free text messaging service allows Māori and Pasifika mātua (parents) and carers in Queensland to sign up for timely tips and reminders on topics such as developmental milestones, nutrition, bonding with baby and important health checks.
Developed in partnership with Māori and Pasifika communities across Queensland, the message suite includes 26 languages spoken in the Pacific region, incorporating proverbs, and cultural expressions.
Messages are delivered in the familiar voice of an ‘aunty’ figure – a respected relational role in many Māori and Pacific cultures that embodies warmth, trust and guidance.
“Queensland is home to the nation’s largest Māori and Pasifika population, so expanding Connecting2u to include tailored messages for this community was an important step,” said Connecting2u Principal Program Officer Alanna Philipson.
“We asked the community what mattered most to them, and the common themes were warmth, cultural familiarity and connection.
“Weaving language and cultural values into the messages was essential to ensuring Māori and Pasifika families felt respected and represented.
“We hope this new suite of messaging offer guidance, support and connection during pregnancy and early childhood for Māori and Pasifika families,” she said.
Mātua and carers can register individually and receive messages tailored to their parenting stage.
During pregnancy, antenatal messages provide advice on care options, physical changes, self-care, baby’s development and reminders about important health checks and scans.
For families with children aged 0–5 years, messages cover topics such as bonding, feeding, sleep, support services, health checks and vaccinations.
“Since 2014, Connecting2u has supported more than 25,000 parents and families in Queensland on their early parenting journey,” Ms Philipson said.
“The clear, consistent and strengths-based messages help parents and carers feel more confident, reassured and empowered.
“We are proud to extend this support to Queensland’s Māori and Pasifika community, helping ensure all children in Queensland have the best possible start to life,” Ms Philipson said.
The Connecting2u program is funded through the Queensland Government’s Putting Queensland Kids First plan.
For more information or to sign up to Connecting2u, visit childrens.health.qld.gov.au/c2u
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Media contact: t: +61 7 3068 5111 e: chqnews@health.qld.gov.au