Finance Minister Nicola Willis was frustrated to hear women were missing out on a piece of toast after giving birth in Wellington. Photo: RNZ / REECE BAKER
The government has stepped in to make sure new mothers can still have toast and a cup of tea after the "mad" decision to cut the service in Wellington.
Hundreds of Wellington residents took to social media after tea and toast was taken off the menu in the region's maternity wards.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis told First Up the decision made her mad.
"I just remember viscerally that first cup of milky tea and vegemite on toast after we delivered our first baby at Wellington Hospital and I remember being so grateful for that toast, it was like a gourmet meal, and looking at the nurse who delivered it as if she was a saint.
"So when I heard that some women were being stopped from having that simple pleasure, that really frustrated me."
Health Minister Shane Reti was also frustrated and had intervened to ensure women giving birth at Wellington would continue to get their toast, Willis said.
She didn't believe it was a matter of the financial crunch facing the health sector.