Objective: To develop an in‐depth understanding of HPV self‐testing cervical screening clinical pathways for never‐/under‐screened Māori women.Methods: Based on a community‐based cluster randomized controlled trial in Aotearoa (New Zealand), a Kaupapa Māori (by Māori, for Māori) qualitative study enrolled Māori women who met the eligibility criteria of the HPV trial intervention (aged 25–69 years, no screen in >4 years). In total, 28 were recruited (22 had a negative test, six had a positive test and colposcopy). They were asked about their clinical pathway.Results: The HPV self‐test was seen as empowering and promoting bodily autonomy, although some women expressed fears or misconceptions about this new technology. While those with a negative test were relieved, for the six women who had a positive test, there were many fears, compounded by seeking out information on the Internet. When attending colposcopy, the importance of support and responsive care was emphasized.Conclusion: HPV self‐testing has the potential to improve access to cervical screening and reduce inequities for Māori. Care must be taken in the delivery of screening and colposcopy results. Primary care and colposcopy services need to take special care with never‐/under‐screened Māori women to provide sensitive, responsive care, and mitigate trauma.

Māori (Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand) bear an unequal burden of poor perinatal health outcomes, including preterm birth. An infant arriving preterm disrupts the birth imaginary of whānau (family collectives) and situates them in a foreign health environment that may not be culturally safe and nurturing. A cross-sectional interpretative phenomenological analysis of first interviews with 19 whānau participating in a Kaupapa Māori (by, with, for Māori) qualitative longitudinal study of preterm birth identified themes from their experiences and the meanings they attributed to them. Preterm birth was an emotional roller coaster, with the birth imaginary and anticipated roles disrupted as health practitioners took over the care of their infants. Whānau expressed the desire to be close to their infants, holding them, loving them, nurturing them, and emplacing them within whakapapa (genealogy, continual layering of foundations) networks. When health practitioners or hospital policies inhibited this intimacy by isolating, excluding, or discriminating, whānau were frustrated. Being familiar with hospital routines, staff, peers, infant cares, and being wrapped in wider whānau support were key for whānau coping. Whakawhanaungatanga (processes of establishing relationships) create safe spaces for whānau to be themselves. This quietens the ‘storm’ and returns whānau to a sense of calm, through the reclamation of their environment.

A research partnership between Iwi (tribal group) Ngati Pahauwera and a university-based research centre specialising in Kaupapa Maori (by Maori, for Maori) research was formed in response to an invitation from Ngati Pahauwera. The initial partnership goal was to address health inequities experienced by Maori women and infants in Te Wairoa (the home place of the Iwi), a predominantly Maori, rural region in Aotearoa (New Zealand). The research developed by the partnership is an example of a culturally responsive research methodology. Key features include: being Iwi-initiated; community identification of strengths and assets; guidance by a community steering group; contribution to local Maori research capacity; and the development of a community-led augmented maternity care pathway that is now being delivered through primary care. These features have strengthened the engagement of the Iwi, researchers and community, and provided opportunities for transformative change.

Aims: To describe a body of Māori translational research responses that challenge colonialised systems. Methods: To delineate and link ongoing Kaupapa Māori and Māori‐led translational research. Results: He Tapu Te Whare Tangata explores human papilloma virus (HPV) screening. Te Hā o Whānau presents a culturally responsive framework of maternity care. E Hine describes young Māori mothers’ experiences of Hapū Ora. Severe Acute Maternal Morbidity (SAMM) and SAMM Kids identify opportunities to improve avoidable morbidity. He Tamariki Kokoti Tau – Babies born prematurely, is a qualitative study of Māori experiences of preterm birth. He Tamariki Kokoti Tau – Tackling Preterm, is a quantitative analysis. He Korowai Manaaki is a wraparound maternity pathway. Whānau Manaaki – Methamphetamine aims to reduce the impact of methamphetamine. Calls for action reflect shared desires for system transformation. Conclusion: We lay the wero (challenge) down to all to transform our current systems. Action is needed!