There’s always something happening in the world of pregnancy, birth, and parenting in Aotearoa. Here’s what’s been on our radar this week — including one update worth knowing about before 1 July.
Paid parental leave is going up from next week
If you’re currently on parental leave, about to start it, or expecting a pēpi soon, this one is worth knowing. From 1 July 2026, the maximum weekly paid parental leave rate increases to $811.05 per week, up from $788.66. The increase applies to both employees and the self-employed, and covers up to 26 weeks of leave. It also applies to parents who have experienced miscarriage or stillbirth. The rate adjusts automatically each year in line with average weekly earnings, so if you’re already receiving payments, Inland Revenue will update the amount without you needing to do anything.
Read the full announcement on the Beehive
Is baby brain real? A neuroscientist explains
You’ve probably experienced it — walking into the kitchen and forgetting why, or losing your train of thought mid-sentence. RNZ has published a fascinating piece from a senior neuroscience researcher that finally gives a proper answer. The short version: pregnancy does change the brain, with real and lasting structural differences that can be detected years later. But here’s the reassuring bit — objective testing shows no meaningful decline in memory or cognition in new parents. The fog that so many māmā describe is far more likely to be exhaustion, mental overload, and the relentless demands of caring for a new person than any permanent rewiring. Worth a read if you’ve ever wondered whether it’s all in your head (it is, sort of, but not in the way you might think).
July school holidays start in just over a week
For whānau with school-aged tamariki, the mid-year break is almost here. The July school holidays run from Saturday 4 July to Sunday 19 July — and Matariki falls within that window on Friday 10 July, making it a lovely anchor for family time this year. Whether you’re looking for something to do locally or planning something further afield, you’ll find a range of family-friendly businesses and activity providers across Aotearoa on Hey Māmā.
New research into what drives women to choose freebirth
This one is worth reading thoughtfully. New research published in The Conversation examines why some women choose to give birth without a registered midwife or doctor present — and the findings are less about risk-taking and more about the failures of the maternity system. Prior birth trauma, experiences of non-consensual care, and an inability to access the kind of birth environment they wanted are among the strongest drivers. The research doesn’t sidestep the risks involved in unassisted birth, but it also takes seriously the experiences that lead women there. If birth trauma is something that has shaped your own journey, this piece may resonate.
Read the full research piece via New Zealand Doctor
If any of these topics are landing close to home right now, you’ll find pregnancy, birth, and postnatal support providers across Aotearoa on Hey Māmā.
This bulletin is a roundup of external news stories. Hey Māmā links to original sources and does not reproduce or represent the views of those publications.