Planned NZNO nurses' strikes: 2 and 4 September 2025
NZNO nurses, healthcare assistants and some midwives plan to strike from 7am to 11pm on Tuesday 2 September and 7am to 11pm on Thursday 4 September. Patient safety is our priority and our hospitals will remain open. Continue to attend all appointments unless we have contacted you directly to reschedule.
Maternity services on the West Coast include 2 birthing units in Greymouth and Westport and midwives who work across the West Coast. We work together with Christchurch Women’s Hospital for antenatal consultation and review for potential pregnancy problems.
A lead maternity carer (LMC) is responsible for your care throughout your pregnancy, labour and birth. They also care for you and your pēpi until pēpi is 6 weeks old.
Smokefree Pregnancy and Newborn Incentives Programme helps people who want to quit smoking during pregnancy, and for the first 4 months after baby is born.
In addition to the usual stop smoking medication and support, this programme provides up to $350 in New World vouchers over 12 weeks before the birth and up to $250 over 16 weeks after the baby is born.
Being pregnant and becoming a new mum can be an anxious time. If you are concerned about your mental health during pregnancy, you can be referred for support and advice to the maternal mental health service.
As your healthcare provider to refer you or you can refer yourself.
Antenatal and newborn screening are tests done during pregnancy and when your pēpi (baby) is 24 hours old to find health conditions that can affect you or your pēpi. The tests can help you make choices about further tests, care and treatment.
There are 2 maternity units on the West Coast, one at Te Nīkau Hospital & Health Centre in Greymouth and the other at Buller Health Centre in Westport.
The maternity unit provides secondary maternity care. It has 2 birthing rooms, each with its own birthing pool and 6 antenatal or postnatal bedrooms. Each bedroom has its own en suite and television. There is a shared public kitchen area for use during your stay.
Let your lead maternity carer know before you come to the unit, and they will arrange your admission.
nominated visitors can visit at any time but only one visitor at a time.
Location:
71 Water Walk Road Greymouth
After-hours access
To access after 8.30pm and before 6am (if you are one of the mother’s nominated visitors) enter the front doors of the main entrance to Te Nīkau Hospital & Health Centre. On the right hand side there is a red phone which will connect you directly to the front desk receptionist. The receptionist will open the doors and let the maternity unit know you have arrived. If you require assistance, an orderly or maternity unit staff member will escort you.
Buller’s maternity services provide primary birthing services for women with healthy uncomplicated pregnancies. There is a fully equipped birthing room including a purpose-built birthing pool. There is ample on-site parking available.