Wānaka’s birthing unit, Rākai Kahukura, will open its door to its first pregnant people and whānau on Monday (July 29).

Rākai Kahukura will be able to support “at least” 50 births and approximately 350-400 families each year, Te Whatu Ora Southern director of midwifery Karen Ferraccioli told the Wānaka App.

Karen was visiting the birthing unit yesterday (Wednesday July 24) for an opening event with Te Whatu Ora staff, birthing unit midwives and staff, and other groups including Plunket. 

She said the new birthing unit, a converted lodge located on a large and private site on the outskirts of Albert Town, has “good mana”.

“It’s quite special,” she said. “It’s also quite big, which will allow us to build services through time.”

Rākai Kahukura will open for use on Monday (July 29).

After a lengthy renovation turning the space from a lodge into a birthing unit, Rākai Kahukura now features a birthing room with an ensuite and a birthing pool and four post-natal rooms with ensuites.

There’s also an onsite antenatal clinic with four rooms, a community room for relaxation and an education and whānau room.

Rākai Kahukura will support low-risk, non-instrumental births, options for post-natal stays closer to home, as well as access to early childhood services for 0-5 year olds including vaccinations, Karen said.

She acknowledged midwives had been waiting a long time for the birthing unit.

Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti (left) and PM Christopher Luxon at Rākai Kahukura in late June.

Te Whatu Ora Southern (formerly the Southern District Health Board) agreed to establish a primary birthing unit in Wānaka in June 2021.

This followed many years of advocacy from local groups (including local Lead Maternity Care (LMC) midwives and Save Our Wānaka Midwives) in part because of the significant distance to the nearest primary birthing unit and hospital.

By June 2022 Te Whatu Ora had purchased the Monteith Road property but the estimated opening in early 2023 was pushed back intermittently, largely attributed to the move from the Southern District Health Board (SDHB) to Te Whatu Ora, with the project team having to adapt to new guidelines and regulatory environment.

Its opening on Monday (July 29) is a year and a half later than first estimated. 

New Rākai Kahukura signage on SH6.

Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti and PM Christopher Luxon visited the birthing unit in late June while finishing touches were being completed and revealed its name, which was gifted by iwi. 

The PM thanked everyone involved in the creation of the birthing unit for “all the hard work and effort that’s gone into bringing this birthing centre to life”.

Listen: The Outlet Podcast - Revolutionising midwifery care in Wānaka.

PHOTOS: Wānaka App