$100k Fundraising Campaign Launched To Fit Out New Christchurch Birthing Unit

A Canterbury health charity is aiming to raise $100,000
to put world-class finishing touches on Christchurch’s new
central city birthing unit.

The unit, called Kurawaka
Waipapa, is being hailed as a gamechanger for the city,
which is desperately short of central birthing
facilities.

“This new birthing unit will provide
valuable space for whānau to spend time together. The
$100,000 we’re aiming to raise will fund the fit out of
two whānau rooms taking this facility from good to
great,” Māia Health Foundation Chief Executive Michael
Flatman says.

Kurawaka Waipapa also includes four
birthing suites and 20 post-natal rooms.

The only
option for women to birth in the central city is
Christchurch Women’s Hospital, which was designed for
4,000 births each year. In 2023, Christchurch Women’s
Hospital saw 5,124 births.

Health New Zealand | Te
Whatu Ora Canterbury Waitaha Executive Director Midwifery
and Maternity Norma Campbell says many who birth at
Christchurch Women’s Hospital are immediately transferred
to a community led birthing unit for their post-natal care
as there’s simply no room for them to stay.

“No
one gets the sense that they’ve had a calm and peaceful
experience because it’s just a constant movement both for
those who are high risk and those with no risk factors to
ensure we have the beds available for those coming in
next,” Campbell says.

Canterbury’s community-led
birthing units are in Rangiora, Rolleston, or further afield
in Ashburton.

“Kurawaka Waipapa is the final piece
of the community birthing unit puzzle, providing a calm and
relaxing environment, just five minutes from Christchurch
Women’s Hospital,” Campbell says.

Kelly Kara, the
new Midwife Manager for Kurawaka Waipapa, says this unit is
a massive step ahead of anything she’s seen in her decades
of working in the maternity space.

She says the
addition of the whānau rooms will make a huge difference to
so many families supporting their loved ones through
birth.

“Birth is an incredibly exciting time, and a
really challenging time too. What we know makes a huge
difference is people having their whānau around them in
those key first days as they get to know their baby, start
recovering from birth and gain confidence
together.

“It’s amazing what the Māia Health
Foundation is adding to Kurawaka Waipapa, ensuring our
whānau rooms will be a beautiful space to welcome new life,
and a place that feels like home for every whānau,” Kara
says.

Melanie Glasson is expecting her second child
this year and plans to birth at Kurawaka
Waipapa.

“The birthing units in Rangiora and
Rolleston are just too far away, so I’m really excited to
have a new central city option,” Glasson says.

“I
don’t want to be in Christchurch Women’s if I don’t have to
be, to free up space for those who need it. But it’s a
relief knowing if I do need extra care, it’s so close to
Christchurch Women’s Hospital,” she adds.

Māia
Health Foundation is confident the community will rise to
the challenge of raising $100,000 to take the new birthing
unit from good to great.

“We know our community want
our newest families to experience the best start in life,
and Kurawaka Waipapa will help achieve that. Please donate
today,” Flatman says.

Donations can be made at
maiahealth.org.nz.

Kurawaka Waipapa is due to open for
its first births by 16 April
2024.

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