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$34m in Funding for 3-Day Postnatal Stay Must be Used Flexibly

Friday 29 May 2026

Yesterday, the Aotearoa New Zealand government handed down Budget 2026. Included was a $34.4 million commitment to fund the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) (3-Day Postnatal Stay) Amendment Bill which gives mothers and babies the right to remain in a postnatal facility for a minimum of three days, after giving birth, unless they choose to leave earlier.

The Bill has been heavily debated in Parliament, parliamentary committees, and public forums since its introduction. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) and the New Zealand College of Midwives (NZCOM) have provided feedback via both a written submission, oral testimony and ongoing advocacy, cautioning the need for careful consideration of its broader implications.

In light of today’s announcement which confirms funding to support the Bill, RANZCOG and NZCOM welcome this significant investment into maternity care and strongly support the principle that all women should have access to appropriate care following their birth. The extra provision for care will result in positive outcomes for some whānau and babies.

However, with $34.4 million available to support implementation, both Colleges assert the importance that funding be used flexibly, to accommodate a nuanced and individualised needs-based approach to supporting different women and whānau, in the way that best meets their needs.

Ideally a post-birth extended in-patient stay should be an optional part of an integrated and flexible package of postnatal support including improved access to maternal mental health support, and wider aspects of homebased postnatal support as required. For example, options could include increased access to home-based postnatal care or practical support in the days following birth.

There are also myriad systemic issues which will undermine the effectiveness of the three-day-postnatal-stay bill, if not urgently addressed by the government. For example, the ability to provide extended postnatal care for more people is reliant on access to a robust multidisciplinary maternity workforce and sufficient capacity in maternity units.

The reality is that Aotearoa New Zealand is facing chronic workforce shortages and maternity system issues. The availability of skilled workforces to implement this bill is a significant concern. Midwifery, obstetric and nursing workforces are all strained.

– Dr Emma Jackson, RANZCOG New Zealand Vice President

Without skilled workforces to implement postnatal care this Bill won’t make a real difference to health and wellbeing of new babies and parents.

– Alison Eddy, Chief Executive of the New Zealand College of Midwives

As well as workforce shortages, many hospital facilities are facing shortages of beds with maternity units across Aotearoa already operating beyond capacity. The increased provision of postnatal care will require both additional staffing and facilities, necessitating significant government investment and long-term planning to achieve.

Both Colleges emphasise that there is also an urgent need for investment in other areas, such as full funding of maternity ultrasound scanning to ensure the health of babies prior to birth, and prevention initiatives for sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI).

RANZCOG and the College of Midwives call on the Government to involve maternity experts – midwives and obstetricians – in careful implementation of postnatal support. It is vital that new funding for maternity is utilised in a way that makes a real different to the health and wellbeing of all whānau.