Maternity services Northland
About maternity care
Maternity care in New Zealand is free for the majority of women. If you are not sure about your eligibility for free care check your eligibility.
Within Northland, there is an average of 2000 births each year. Women who live in Hokianga, the Far North or in the Mid-North who do not have any complications in their pregnancy are encouraged to have their babies at the local primary maternity unit, however, birth in Whangārei Hospital is recommended for those women who have an increased chance of complications.
Where to give birth
Due to the population spread in Northland, most births take place at the secondary unit, Te Kotuku, at Whangārei Hospital. The remainder occur at the 3 primary units attached to hospitals in Kaitaia, Kawakawa and Rawene. Postnatal care is provided in all facilities and also at Dargaville Hospital. Approximately 10% of births in Northland are planned homebirths. The ideal place for women to give birth is agreed on an individual basis by women and their midwives with input from obstetricians when indicated.
Northland employs midwives to work in the maternity facilities across the region. In addition, self-employed midwives, working as Lead Maternity Carers (LMC), provide continuity of care throughout the pregnancy, labour and birth and postnatal period. This service is based in the community and takes place in midwives' clinics or at home. Obstetricians work in Whangārei Hospital and also attend clinics at various locations throughout Northland.
Antenatal, lactation and social worker help
There is a community hub in Commerce St, Whangānui where:
- antenatal classes take place
- lactation consultant clinics are held
- postnatal contraception services provided.
There is also a community social worker at the hub.
The maternity service throughout Northland is supported by social workers, lactation consultants and antenatal educators. A midwifery education team provides a programme of ongoing education for midwives. The service is also very supportive of students by enabling clinical experience for student midwives who are enrolled in the Auckland University of Technology midwifery programme in the local Northland group.
Kaupapa Māori hapū wananga antenatal education is provided throughout Northland. Information about these services can be provided by your midwife.
Finding a midwife
Making initial contact with a LMC midwife is made easier via the website Find Your Midwife.
If a community LMC midwife is not available at the time you are due to have your baby, please ring the following numbers, and a midwife will arrange ongoing care.
Whangārei - 0800 434 2686
Dargaville - 0800 374 628
Kawakawa - 0800 264 222
Kaitaia - 0800 582 643
It is really important that you register with a midwife early in your pregnancy. Sometimes midwifery care will be provided by a Northland midwife. This will involve continuity during the antenatal and postnatal period as much as possible and hospital midwives will provide labour care.
Neonatal unit
There is a level 2 Neonatal Unit (previously known as special care baby unit) at Whangārei Hospital for those babies requiring specialist paediatric care. This is located near the Children’s Ward, above The Kotuku maternity unit. Babies requiring complicated care are occasionally transferred to Auckland, but these babies usually return to Whangārei for ongoing care before going home.