Māngere birthing centre faces closure, calls for Te Whatu Ora to step in

Just five years after opening, Māngere's Nga Hau Birthing Centre could be closed due to a lack of funds. The prospect has led more than 5000 concerned mothers-to-be and women who have given birth there to petition the government and Te Whatu Ora to help step in. The primary birthing unit has been funded by the Wright Foundation up until now, but the charity now says it needs public funding to keep it open. The majority of women giving birth there are Māori or Pasifika, and the petition highlights the important role the centre plays in the community. Te Whatu Ora says there are three other birthing units accessible to those in the region, as well as Middlemore Hospital. Kathryn speaks with Rebecca Kingi who recently gave birth there who says it's the only local unit and is desperately needed.