Supporting women and families in Westport

An advocate for family wellbeing, Heranush Hopkins, a member of the Bahá'í community of Buller, has been recognised by local news media for her work as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and La Leche League leader. She has been instrumental in fostering community connections, promoting breastfeeding education, and working on neonatal health projects. The article, featured in the Westport News on 8 November 2024, is shared below:

‘Supporting Women’

The Hopkins family: Heranush, Leroy (11), Tajall (8), and Ezra.

Heranush Hopkins is committed to helping Westport families thrive.

As an International Board certified lactation consultant, certified breastfeeding specialist, and a La Leche League leader, Heranush works with families in Westport and globally to overcome their challenges.

Originally from South America, Heranush lived and worked around the world with her family before settling in Westport almost five years ago.

Her husband, Ezra, grew up in Westport, and has family here.

She said they were happily living in Montreal, Canada, with their children Leroy (11) and Tajall (8), when the Covid-19 pandemic hit.

"The pandemic came along and changed our reality as a family, so we decided to move... having that family support, grandparents, cousins, aunties, uncles, makes a big difference when you're raising kids."

Despite moving from a bustling city to rural New Zealand, Heranush said the family adjusted well to Westport life.

"It was such a good, life-changing decision we took as a family, and we're really happy we made that change... "Kids are going to the same school he (Ezra) went to so that's really special, to come back and see another generation being raised in Westport."

The couple met in the Middle East more than 15 years ago, where they were volunteering at the Bahá'í World Centre as members of the Bahá'í Faith.

"As a Bahá'í, wherever you go, you work for unity, being of service to somebody, and the community," Heranush said. "We happened to be serving at the same time and shortly after I left to continue my studies." But the pair kept in touch and when she returned, they married and had children.

She said raising her children in different countries had helped the whole family build resilience.

"There were huge learnings, a different culture, a different language. Wherever you are, you build your community around you. Your friends become your support network." Heranush originally trained in management and human resources, but becoming a mother with unique experiences made her want to support families as she had been supported.

Growing up in Ecuador, she saw firsthand how it took a village to raise a child.

"I come from a big family, and I always saw babies and mothers as one. I was raised in an environment where we needed to support that... support each other."

She said she enjoyed continuing to learn in New Zealand, especially about health and whanau ora and te ao Māori. She carried those principles, alongside the values she was raised with, through all her work.

She strived to offer a range of support to local families, including starting a Buller La Leche League group. The international organisation works with mothers with breastfeeding and other support.

Heranush has been with La Leche League for years, and now travels the country speaking at events. "It's a great way to put myself out there and put Westport on the map."

After gaining her international certification in lactation consultancy, she launched her private practice in January.

Through her practice, Heranush can work with families in Westport and around the world.

Heranush also works with the Liggins Institute on a neonatal research project, and is studying integrated human health at Massey University.

She said no matter the job, or the situation, it was always rewarding helping a family through the challenges of early parenthood.

"That baby, that family, that individual, supporting their goals - that's how a community thrives."

In Buller, it was easy for families to feel isolated from support, Heranush said.

"There are huge distances and there are a lot of people who are in isolation. But they don't need to be alone."

This article is written by Raquel Joseph and has been reprinted with the permission of Westport News.