Hōkai Tahi / Perinatal Support Service

11/10/2026

For many parents and whānau who have experienced baby loss, hearing their baby’s name spoken, or seeing it written can mean more than words can express.

It’s a reminder that their baby existed, that their life mattered, and that they haven’t been forgotten.

Some babies were given names, others were known by a nickname, and some are gently remembered as the little one their family loved and dreamed of meeting.

Whatever their story, every baby deserves to be acknowledged.

Today, we’d like to create a space to honour these precious lives.

We invite you to share the names of the babies who hold a special place in your heart, so we can join you in honouring their lives.

Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, aunty, uncle, sibling, friend or someone who carries a special little one in their heart, you’re welcome to share their name in the comments.

You might prefer to share a nickname, a special symbol, a heart, or simply take a quiet moment to honour them in your own way.

There is no expectation to share.
We know that grief is deeply personal, and everyone honours and remembers their loved ones differently.

To every parent, friend and whānau member carrying the love and grief of a baby who died, we acknowledge their life and stand alongside you 🤍

10/10/2026

When someone experiences baby loss, it can be difficult to know what to say.

We want to offer comfort, but sometimes even the most well intentioned words can unintentionally cause more hurt.

Comments like “at least you can try again” or “everything happens for a reason” may be said with kindness, but they can leave grieving parents feeling as though their loss hasn’t been fully acknowledged.

The truth is, you don’t need to have the perfect words, and you don’t need to fix their grief or make things better.
Sometimes simply acknowledging their baby, listening without judgement and being there for them can mean more than you realise.

Grief looks different for everyone. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and there is no timeline for how long it should last.

We’ve put together a few examples of things to avoid saying, and some gentle alternatives that may help you support someone who has experienced baby loss.

We’d love to hear from you. If you’ve experienced baby loss, was there something someone said or did that brought you comfort?
You’re welcome to share in the comments if you feel comfortable.
Your experience might help someone else better support a grieving friend or whānau member.

At Hōkai Tahi, we offer free counselling and support to individuals and whānau who have experienced baby loss, no matter how long ago their loss occurred.
If you are navigating this journey and would like support, we are here for you 🤍

09/10/2026

Today marks the beginning of Baby Loss Awareness Week.

A time for parents, whānau and communities to come together in remembrance of the babies whose lives ended too soon.

This week, we acknowledge and remember all babies, regardless of their gestation, how long they lived, or the circumstances of their death.

Every baby matters.
Every loss matters.
And every family deserves to have their grief acknowledged.

Throughout the week, we’ll be raising awareness, encouraging open conversations about baby loss, and highlighting the support available to families and whānau.

We invite you to join us in remembering these precious lives.

Please leave a heart in the comments to show your love and support for families who have experienced baby loss.

You don’t need to have experienced loss yourself to stand alongside those who have.

To every parent and whānau member carrying this grief, we see you, and we remember with you.

07/10/2026

Thanks to the generous support of Masterton Trust Lands Trust, Hōkai Tahi is proud to announce that we are relaunching our Wairarapa Baby Loss Support Group, beginning in October.

The group will run over six weeks, providing a safe and supportive space for those navigating the grief of baby loss.

The group will be kept small to help create a sense of safety and connection, with each session facilitated by experienced counsellors.

Come on your own, or together as a couple, to connect with others who understand, to share if you wish, or simply to be present.

We are incredibly grateful to Masterton Trust Lands Trust for helping us make this support available to our Wairarapa community.

Please see the flyer for more information, or visit our website for full details and to register your attendance.

www.hokaitahi.nz/supportgroup

29/09/2026

We look forward to this gathering every week, and we are so glad it will be continuing.
Have you been looking for somewhere relaxing and safe to connect with other māmā?
Pop in and say hi!
All are welcome 🤍

Although Julie is no longer working at the hospital, the mum to mum little latch on sessions will continue (with Julie attending). It will be on this Thursday morning, then Julie will be away for 2 weeks (although one of the Mums might open and close), then it will switch to Tuesday mornings. Still 10-11.30am and still at Hōkai Tahi lounge area, 21 Worksop Road, Masterton.
Come along for a cuppa and chat and ask any questions about feeding your baby or toddler. Do let any new Mums know about this, as it's a lovely space to connect with other parents 😊
Nau mai haere mai 😍

16/09/2026

Thanks to the generous support of Masterton Trust Lands Trust, Hōkai Tahi is proud to announce that we are relaunching our Wairarapa Baby Loss Support Group, beginning in October.

The group will run over six weeks, providing a safe and supportive space for those navigating the grief of baby loss.

The group will be kept small to help create a sense of safety and connection, with each session facilitated by experienced counsellors.

Come on your own, or together as a couple, to connect with others who understand, to share if you wish, or simply to be present.

We are incredibly grateful to Masterton Trust Lands Trust for helping us make this support available to our Wairarapa community.

Please see the flyer for more information, or visit our website for full details and to register your attendance.

www.hokaitahi.nz/supportgroup

We support women and their whānau journeying through pregnancy, baby loss, termination, and the postnatal period.

14/09/2026

Hōkai Tahi invites you to join us for our Wave of Light memorial, a gentle evening of remembrance for all babies and pregnancies that are held in our hearts.

However your loss happened, whenever it happened, and whatever your experience looked like, you are welcome here.
Every baby, every pregnancy and every story matters.

We’ll gather at the Carrington Park Rotunda from 6.45pm, with candles lit together at 7pm followed by a minute of silence.

You are welcome to bring a candle to add to our memorial display.
Lanterns or jars are a good idea if the evening is breezy.
If you would like to, you are also welcome to bring a photo or other small remembrance.

Afterwards, stay for a hot drink provided by Hōkai Tahi and add a name, message or memory to our remembrance tree.

You are welcome to attend alone, with whānau, with friends, or simply to stand alongside others in remembrance.

This event is held at the end of Baby Loss Awareness Week, 9th to 15th of October.

About the International Wave of Light:

The International Wave of Light brings together people around the world to honour and remember babies and pregnancies that have been lost.

At 7pm on the 15th of October, people light a candle in remembrance.
Beginning here in Aotearoa, those candles create a wave of light that moves around the world.

Whether you join us at Carrington Park or light a candle quietly at home, you are part of that shared remembrance.

This is a family friendly event.
Please be mindful that pregnant people, babies and children may be present, alongside health professionals and others wishing to support our community.

All are welcome.

14/09/2026

Te Wiki o te Reo Māori creates a special opportunity to celebrate te reo Māori, and we thought it was the perfect time to acknowledge the meaning and whakapapa behind our own name, Hōkai Tahi.

We remain incredibly grateful to kaumātua Mike Kawana and Rangitāne o Wairarapa for gifting us the name Hōkai Tahi.
A name that so beautifully reflects the mahi we do and the people we walk alongside.

Hōkai refers to the kicking of the legs of a pēpi in the womb and comes from an ancient Wairarapa waiata/oriori that speaks of the different experiences and outcomes of birth.
Tahi brings with it the sense of coming together as one.

Together, Hōkai Tahi speaks to the collective effort of people coming together to support someone through pregnancy, birth and the journey that surrounds it.

Today, our mahi has grown to support whānau through many different experiences.
Through pregnancy and the postnatal period, anxiety and depression, birth trauma, NICU journeys, pregnancy options, and miscarriage and baby loss.
Through all of these experiences, the meaning held within our name continues to fit who we are: walking alongside people, together.

Swipe through the images to learn more about the meaning and origin of Hōkai Tahi, and the Wairarapa oriori from which hōkai comes.

A note on pronunciation: Hōkai has a macron over the ō, showing that it is a long vowel.
Taking the time to pronounce kupu Māori correctly is one small but important way we can honour te reo Māori and the meaning carried within our name.

07/09/2026

Recently, our Hōkai Tahi team had the opportunity to spend the weekend together at the wonderful John Barron Retreat.

It gave us a chance to step away from the day to day, spend time connecting as a team, and focus on planning for the months ahead.

It was the perfect place to relax and recharge, while also giving us the space we needed to share ideas, make plans and look ahead to what’s next for Hōkai Tahi.

We are incredibly grateful to John Barron Retreat for their warm hospitality and generosity, and for providing such a beautiful space for our team.
We appreciate you so much.

We came away feeling refreshed, connected and excited about what’s ahead.

We’ve been working on some exciting things behind the scenes, and we can’t wait to share more with you very soon.

In the meantime, if you’re looking for a serene getaway for whānau and friends, where you feel like you are in your own corner of the world (while still being five minutes from town) this is the place!

Listen to those early morning birds 🥹