This document summarizes Sarah Stewart's experience working as a midwife in rural Gisborne, New Zealand. It describes Gisborne as a isolated rural community with a population of 30,000, including a high Māori population. It outlines that Stewart worked as a Lead Maternity Carer, providing total midwifery care from conception to 6 weeks postpartum. The role gave her full professional autonomy but also brought huge responsibility. It notes she developed advanced midwifery skills like assessments, cannulation, and perineal suturing to assist home and water births.