Update June 2023 - no word since then, and there is no sign of a transitional unit opening any time soon.  Meanwhile Te Whatu Ora have taken on the lease for the ex-birthing centre and it lies empty.

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Update November 2022 - it was recently announced that the Birthing Centre in Te Awa Kairangi/Lower Hutt will be reopening as a Transitional Care Unit for babies and new parents that need special care, which is a positive outcome for those whānau that need this support.  There is discussion that there may be 2 rooms available for birthing at the transitional care unit, but details are yet to be confirmed. We welcome anything and will support it, but this is not what we had hoped for.  So we are in the very early stages of talking about a community owned and led Birth House/Whare Kōwhanga at Wesley Rātā Village in Naenae. We are delighted with the very positive signals from Te Ati Awa about having a birth centre at the headwaters of their awa and look forward to exploring how partnerships with Te Ati Awa and Wesley Community Action may develop.

If you are interested in how these community discussions evolve, and/or would like to offer your ideas and/or action and/or funds to help support the project, please register your interest and we'll be in touch to let you know what is happening, as soon as something is happening!