Panui on Mate Kirikōpū  

March is Endometriosis Awareness month.  Last year we launched the new Maori name for Endometriosis, Mate Kirikōpū, as a way of trying to promote discussion on the kaupapa in our whanau and communities.
 
Endometriosis is a disease affecting thousands of women in New Zealand. It is estimated that 1 in 10 New Zealand women suffer from this condition. It is a painful and distressing disease that can have life altering consequences, affecting the quality of life of many wahine and their whanau. It is a disease that many of our Maori and Pasifika women suffer from but we are amongst some of the slowest to get help, support and proper diagnosis. 
 
Although the disease itself affects women, endometriosis impacts on the whole whanau. Endometriosis and its effects are not only experienced by one age group, it can effect your young daughters, nieces, sisters, mothers and grandmothers. Our tane can do much to support women in their lives who have endometriosis.    
 
Korerotia te kaupapa nei, kia marama, kia mataara - Please speak to others about this kaupapa, to help understanding and awareness.
 
If any one would like to contact me directly on the kaupapa, I'd be happy to receive any emails on oreganh@cpit.ac.nz.
 
Nahaku noa na
 
Hana O'Regan
Board Member, Endometriosis New Zealand