News and notices Pānui
Whakatāne maternity changes - your questions answered
21 February 2025
Whakatāne Hospital’s Ko Matariki maternity service has changed while we recruit additional specialist doctors.
You can still give birth with the care of a midwife at Ko Matariki, but if you are going to need help from a doctor with your birth, you will need to go to Tauranga Hospital for Caesarean sections, inductions of labour (medication to artificially start the birth process), epidurals or if you have had problems during birth previously.
We want to make sure any questions you and your whānau have are answered, so please talk to your Lead Maternity Carer or midwife who will assess your needs and talk to you about your wishes during your pregnancy to guide where you should have your baby.
Below are some frequently asked questions to help keep you informed about the changes.
If you are pregnant and do not have a midwife, it is important that you enrol with one as soon as possible at www.findyourmidwife.co.nz. You can also call our dedicated 24/7 phoneline on 0800 429 328 to kōrero with a midwife. You can call with any questions, at any time.
How might the changes affect me?
While a full midwife-based service is still available for uncomplicated births, if you are going to need help from a doctor with your birth you will need to give birth at Tauranga Hospital. This includes Caesarean sections, inductions, epidurals or if you have had problems during birth before.
However, while you are pregnant, your care will continue at Whakatāne Hospital as normal with support from Tauranga doctors if you need it. Some people will also be able to birth at Bethlehem Birthing Centre if they would prefer. And this option can be discussed with your lead maternity carer, or midwife.
The Neonatal Unit continues to run at Ko Matariki Maternity, so you can be transferred back to Ko Matariki as soon as everyone is well enough to travel.
It is very important to find a midwife or Lead Maternity Carer early in your pregnancy and discuss your options with them as it may still be the right thing for you to birth with your midwife at Whakatāne Hospital.
Your midwife will assess any risk and discuss your wishes for birthing with you. Your midwife will then make a plan with the Tauranga Obstetric team if other arrangements are needed.
Will my safety or my baby’s safety be compromised?
We have needed to make the changes to the birthing service in Whakatāne to make sure birthing is as safe as possible.
Your LMC/midwife will discuss all the options with you to ensure you understand what is ahead and to create a birthing plan which is right and safe for you.
We encourage everyone to engage with a midwife/ LMC as early in their pregnancy as possible, so a safe and appropriate birthing plan is put in place.
You will be monitored during your pregnancy, and we will talk with you about any changes which need to occur to make sure you understand and are comfortable with the plan.
We have a 24/7 ambulance on hand to transport anyone who needs to be moved to Tauranga during labour.
This is an additional ambulance to those which normally serve the Whakatane area and is only used for transferring women/pregnant people between Whakatane and Tauranga Hospital.
The Neonatal Unit continues to run at Ko Matariki Maternity, so you can be transferred back to Ko Matariki as soon as everyone is well enough to travel.
Who pays for travel and accommodation if I need to go to Tauranga to give birth?
If you need to travel to Tauranga Hospital to deliver your baby, your transport, accommodation and food costs will be provided for free to allow you to travel and stay before giving birth.
We’ll organise all this for you so you can focus on what’s most important.
Your midwife will give you a $60 petrol voucher to cover a return trip from Whakatāne to Tauranga. It doesn’t matter whether you have a community services card or not.
We will also pay for motel accommodation in Tauranga for you and your whānau. You won’t need to pay and claim the cost back.
You will also be given a $30 food voucher per day for your whānau to use to cover the additional cost of having to get food in Tauranga rather than in Whakatāne.
Your partner or support person will be provided three hospital meals per day in addition to this while staying at the Tauranga Maternity Unit.
What happens if something goes wrong during my labour/birth and I need urgent care?
Safety is paramount so if it is decided during your labour that you need urgent care there is a dedicated 24/7 ambulance on hand to transport anyone who needs to be moved to Tauranga during labour.
This is an additional ambulance to those which normally serve the Whakatane area and is only used for transferring pregnant people between Whakatane and Tauranga Hospital.
Helicopter transfers are also available in emergency situations.
The Neonatal Unit continues to run at Ko Matariki Maternity, so you can be transferred back to Ko Matariki as soon as everyone is well enough to travel.
Can I take my whānau with me if I need to go to Tauranga?
Having whānau with you when you give birth is important for many people. So, we have put in place a system to ensure you have as much whānau support as possible.
When possible, you will be offered a single room at the Tauranga Maternity Unit so that your partner/support person can stay in the room with you.
In addition, motel accommodation is offered for other whānau members as required. Your whānau will be able to stay in the paid motel accommodation every night that you are in hospital in Tauranga.
There is no need to pay and claim the cost back – we organise this for you so you can focus on what’s most important.
Your partner or key support person will be provided three hospital meals per day in addition to this while staying at the Tauranga Maternity Unit.
Will I need to travel to Tauranga for appointments?
While you are pregnant, your care will continue at Whakatāne Hospital as normal with support from Tauranga doctors if you need it.
Your midwife will send referrals (if needed) to the appropriate specialist as they would have previously done, and we will continue to provide antenatal, gynaecology and colposcopy clinics at Ko Matariki Maternity with a visiting Obstetrician/Gynaecologist (two days per week).
If it’s considered that you are needing secondary care for your birth, you will need to travel to Tauranga and you may need to stay there before you give birth.
Your travel, food and accommodation costs will be provided for free to you, your partner and whānau.
Health New Zealand will organise this and pay up-front so there is no out-of-pocket cost to you.