Health New Zealand seems allergic to using the word 'woman' - but not the word 'man'.

 Health New Zealand - renamed Te Whatu Ora under the last government when it renamed all government departments in te reo Māori (Māori language) first, with English second, and which the new coalition government intends to reverse - appears allergic to using the words ‘woman/women’ whilst happily immune to using the words ‘man/men’.

Karen Guilliland, ex CEO of the NZ College of Midwives, picked up this strange anomaly in Health NZ/Te Whatu Ora’s latest newsletter, which she still subscribes to. There, scattered amongst the information in it, the word ‘men’ was used with gay abandon (in the Ngaio Marsh era meaning of the word ‘gay’), and even brought ‘fathers’ and ‘brothers’ into the fold. In all, men got ten mentions in the section devoted to prostate health. Fair enough, seeing as it’s only men who have a prostate.

In contrast, Health NZ/Te Whatu Ora was extremely miserly in their use of the word ‘woman’ in the section about maternity, something only experienced by women – i.e. it wasn’t used even once. They were more generous with the word ‘mother’ and managed to produce one use of it, but through gritted teeth, I imagine. I can only guess at what a difficult labour that may have been.

It really was quite a staggering feat of linguistic gymnastics to avoid the words ‘women’ and ‘mothers’ in information about maternity, which may be useful to …. er …women and mothers. And this in a country where a Plain Language bill got passed in 2022. If you think that’s a bit odd, get your head around this - that bill was proposed by Labour MP, Rachel Boyack, who would in all likelihood be a fervent supporter of using the nonsense language around women and mothers.

So, why do we mangle women’s language, but not men’s? I’m guessing that’s because it’s women’s language, and not men’s. Men who say they’re women don’t like to be reminded that they’re not actually women by the use of language for women; and women who say they’re men don’t like to be reminded that they’re not actually men by use of the language for women.

Although the numbers for women who say they’re men and get pregnant and give birth to a baby aren’t collected here in New Zealand, it’s estimated that it’s around six per year. Carol Bartle, who has a health background including midwifery, explains how she arrived at this estimate at 7.10 in this WDI talk she and I gave a year ago Carol Bartle and Katrina Biggs - New Zealand - An Update from Aotearoa New Zealand - YouTube

Karen, in conjunction with three other highly qualified women, proceeded to write to Health NZ/Te Whatu Ora, to point out the blindingly obvious omission of the words ‘women’ and ‘mothers’, whilst the word ‘men’ still gets liberally used. It’s almost beyond comprehension that it even needs to be addressed, yet here we are -

23rd Nov 2023

Kia ora Margie and Riana,

Re: Discrimination against women is strikingly obvious in Te Whatu Ora’s communications.

It has become increasingly disturbing to read the culture changes in the elimination of women’s identity and language in the Te Whatu Ora communications. Te Whatu Ora obviously believes in binary sex when it comes to men…but no such support for women. This is very discriminatory and excluding. Where is the Women’s Health promotion that identifies women as women not ‘people’, uses women’s language such as mothers, sisters, etc, and that names their biological body parts in the same way Te Whatu Ora communications are promoting men’s?

Example: This month’s newsletter from Te Whatu Ora (edited) below:

Men’s Health highlighted this month. The month of #Movember is a great opportunity to remind the men in your life to seek help for their health – both physical and mental.

Attached info below by Te Whatu Ora that includes the language of men throughout:

Our fathers, partners, brothers and friends are facing a health crisis, yet it’s rarely talked about. Men are dying too young.

men’s health. We know what works for men.. 

PROSTATE CANCER;  TESTICULAR CANCER

1,250 men’s health projects around the world, challenging the status quo, shaking up men’s health research and transforming the way health services reach and support men.

We exist to help men live happier, healthier, longer lives – this is what drives every single one of our 1,250 men’s health projects.

Compare this information to the Women’s Health Info in the same Newsletter.

Example 1: One reference to mothers but only connected to birthing parents.

Last week we released our latest maternity research, the Triennial Maternity Consumer Survey. This survey provides a regular assessment of consumer satisfaction with primary maternity services and the impact of any policy changes in the given time frame of evaluation.

The Maternity Services/Consumer survey comprises four parts/reports -

  • Whānau and families’ experience of New Zealand’s maternity system

  • Survey of and qualitative research with whānau and families who have lost a pēpi (baby)

  • Insights into the experiences of mothers and birthing parents known to be poorly served by the maternity and perinatal system

  • A summary report of New Zealanders’ experiences and perceptions of the maternity and perinatal system 2022.

Alongside the survey, Te Whatu Ora commissioned the Perinatal Bereavement Support Environmental Scan. This report seeks to understand the current experiences, inconsistencies, and challenges both parents and support providers face when experiencing perinatal loss of a pēpi, and identify potential solutions that enable greater reach, better access, and improved outcomes for those experiencing and supporting perinatal loss.

Example 2: Neurobirth podcast info ignores the binary altogether where women, mothers are not mentioned once. Neuro diverse people must all be biologically born women in order to be pregnant.

We're pleased to announce the launch of a brand-new podcast from Te Whatu Ora - Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley midwives, Bronwyn Rideout and Amy Taylor, which explores the childbearing journey from the perspective of ADHD and Autism. It is for anyone who is neurodiverse and pregnant and their support, including midwives.

In seven episodes, Bronwyn and Amy provide useful, empowering information for neurodivergent people in any stage of their pregnancy and early parenting journey, as well as their support network of family, friends and healthcare professionals wanting to enhance the care they provide.

Are we to conclude that ‘woman’ is no longer a word Te Whatu Ora wishes to use in relation to health but are quite happy to promote ‘men’ as an identified sex. Could you please explain why?

Naaku noa


Karen Guilliland, MNZM, MA, RM

Sandra Coney, QSO

Sue Middleton, PhD

[There was one other signatory, who is not named here]


For additional viewing about midwifery in New Zealand, here’s an engaging and informative interview with Karen Guilliland from a couple of years ago, when she was still CEO at the College of Midwives.

Karen Guilliland - Full interview - YouTube

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