Pregnancy and birth: midwives and antenatal care
When you are pregnant in New Zealand, your first step is to choose a Lead Maternity Carer (LMC). This is usually a midwife. Your LMC looks after you during your pregnancy and the birth. They also care for you and your baby until your baby is 6 weeks old. If you are eligible, most maternity care is free. After your baby is born, you also get free Well Child Tamariki Ora health checks.
Key facts
- Who can be your LMC
- A midwife, a private obstetrician, or a GP (family doctor) with obstetric training. Your LMC cares for you through pregnancy and birth, and looks after you and your baby until your baby is 6 weeks old.1
- When to choose one
- Choose your LMC as soon as you know you are pregnant.3
- Cost of a midwife
- Free for New Zealand residents and other eligible women.1
- GP or private obstetrician
- Maternity care from a GP acting as your LMC is free. Private obstetricians charge fees.1
- Citizens and permanent residents
- Maternity care is free, unless you choose a private obstetrician or a private sonographer (ultrasound).3
- Eligible through your partner
- You qualify if you, or your husband, civil union partner or de facto partner, is eligible. Examples: New Zealand citizens; resident visa and permanent resident visa holders; Australian citizens or permanent residents who live, or plan to live, in New Zealand for 2 years or more; people on a work visa for 2 years or more.2
- Things you may pay for
- Antenatal or birth classes, some tests done at private laboratories, private obstetricians and private maternity hospitals.2
- How often you have checkups
- If you are healthy, usually once a month until 32 weeks. After 32 weeks, checkups are more frequent.1
- Contact any time
- You can contact your LMC 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.1
- Visits after the birth
- Your LMC visits you at least 7 times, in hospital and at home. After about 5 weeks, they hand over your care to a Well Child Tamariki Ora service.1
- Where you can give birth
- At home, in a birthing centre, in a small maternity unit or in a hospital. All are safe if there are no complications. Most people in New Zealand give birth in hospital.4
- Home birth
- A second midwife will be there. Your midwife stays for at least 2 hours after the birth.4
- After you go home from hospital
- Your midwife (or a midwife working for your doctor) visits you at home within 24 hours of you getting home.4
- Well Child Tamariki Ora
- Free for all children under 5. Provided by organisations such as Plunket.5
- Newborn screening
- Newborn metabolic screening (heel-prick blood test) is offered when your baby is 48 to 72 hours old. A hearing screening is offered before your baby is 1 month old.5
- Time off work while pregnant
- You can take up to 10 days of unpaid special leave during pregnancy for checkups, antenatal classes, scans and similar appointments.3
Who is this for, and what are the requirements?
- Maternity care has a special rule for publicly funded health care: you can get free maternity services if you OR your husband, civil union partner or de facto partner is eligible.
- Eligible people include: New Zealand citizens; resident visa and permanent resident visa holders; Australian citizens or permanent residents who live, or plan to live, in New Zealand for 2 years or more; refugees and protected persons (including people whose application or appeal is in progress); people on a work visa for 2 years or more (time you were lawfully in New Zealand before getting the visa can count).
- If your partner is 18 or younger, is cared for by a parent or legal guardian, and is eligible themselves (a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, an Australian citizen or permanent resident who has lived or plans to live in New Zealand for 2 years or more, or on a work visa for 2 years or more), you are also eligible.
- If you are eligible, most maternity care is free. This includes primary maternity services, maternity services from your local health district, and specialist treatment that a doctor believes will clearly affect the outcome of your pregnancy. Care for ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage is also included.
- If you are not eligible for publicly funded health care, the government strongly recommends that you buy full travel insurance, including medical insurance.
How do I do it? Steps and process
- Find an LMC as soon as you know you are pregnant
Most people choose a community midwife as their LMC. Search the Maternity services section on Healthpoint or the Find Your Midwife website.
- Talk to them before you decide
You can ask a midwife: how many women they care for each month, how long each checkup takes, who covers when they are away, where you can give birth, what they think about pain relief and interventions such as induction, and how long they provide care after the birth.
- Get your eligibility proof ready
You need to show proof of eligibility to health workers. If you are eligible through your partner, show your partner's proof of eligibility and proof that you are partners.
- Go to regular checkups and screening
Your LMC helps you make a care plan and a birth plan. They check your blood pressure, urine and weight, and your baby's heartbeat and growth. They offer screening tests and ultrasound scans. You decide whether to have them.
- Decide where to give birth
Talk with your LMC about giving birth at home, in a birthing centre, in a small maternity unit or in a hospital. If you have complications or need specialist care, you will be advised to give birth in hospital. You can also check local options on Healthpoint.
- Care after the birth
Your LMC visits you at least 7 times, in hospital and at home. They help with feeding, check your health and your baby's health, and help you enrol your baby with a GP (family doctor) clinic.
- Move to Well Child Tamariki Ora
Your LMC refers you to the Well Child Tamariki Ora service you have chosen (for example, Plunket). A nurse then gives your baby regular free health and development checks. At age 4, your child also gets a free B4 School Check.
What documents do I need?
- Proof of your own identity or visa (for example, your passport and visa)
- If you are eligible through your partner: your partner's proof of eligibility (a valid New Zealand passport, or a passport with a valid work visa)
- Proof of your relationship, for example: your partner's passport plus your marriage or civil union certificate; a visa granted by Immigration New Zealand based on your partnership; or a statutory declaration of your de facto relationship signed by both of you
What should I watch out for?
- Your LMC is usually a midwife. If you want a GP as your LMC, they must have a Diploma in Obstetrics. They usually give priority to patients already enrolled with them.
- Private obstetricians and private ultrasound (sonographer) services charge fees. Ask about the cost first.
- Your local Health NZ may offer free antenatal classes. Ask your LMC.
- HIV screening is offered at your first antenatal blood test.
- If you are not happy with your care, talk to your midwife or doctor directly first.
- For paid parental leave: first apply to your employer for parental leave, then apply to Inland Revenue for parental leave payments.
- After your baby is born, remember to register the birth. You can also find out about payments such as Best Start (see our related guides).
- The rules on who can get publicly funded health care will change from 1 December 2026. If your family is on temporary visas, check the latest rules.
- This page is a summary of public information, not medical advice. If you have any worries during pregnancy, contact your LMC at any time.
What has changed recently?
- Health NZ notice: the rules on who can get publicly funded health care (including maternity services) will change from 1 December 2026. See the Ministry of Health website for details. Coming soonSource: healthnz.govt.nz ↗
Common questions
I'm pregnant in New Zealand. What should I do first?
Choose a Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) as soon as you know you are pregnant. Your LMC is usually a midwife, but it can also be a private obstetrician or a GP with obstetric training. To find a midwife, search the Maternity services section on Healthpoint or the Find Your Midwife website.
Do I have to pay to see a midwife in NZ?
No. A midwife is free for New Zealand residents and other eligible women. You need to show proof of eligibility to health workers. You may still pay for some things, such as antenatal or birth classes, some tests at private laboratories, private obstetricians and private maternity hospitals.
I'm on a work visa and pregnant. Is delivery free?
Yes, if your work visa is for 2 years or more, you are eligible and most maternity care is free. Time you were lawfully in New Zealand before getting the visa can count. You are also eligible if your partner is eligible. If you are not eligible, the government strongly recommends full travel insurance, including medical insurance. The rules change from 1 December 2026, so check the Ministry of Health website.
My husband is a NZ resident but I'm not yet. Is my pregnancy care free?
Yes. If your husband holds a resident visa or permanent resident visa, he is eligible, so you can get free maternity services too. Show his proof of eligibility and proof that you are partners. For example, his passport plus your marriage certificate, or a visa from Immigration New Zealand based on your partnership.
How do I find a midwife near me?
Search the Maternity services section on Healthpoint or the Find Your Midwife website. Talk to a midwife before you decide. You can ask how many women they care for each month, who covers when they are away, where you can give birth, and how long they provide care after the birth.
Can I give birth at home in New Zealand?
Yes. You can give birth at home, in a birthing centre, in a small maternity unit or in a hospital. All are safe if there are no complications. At a home birth, a second midwife will be there, and your midwife stays for at least 2 hours after the birth. If you have complications, you will be advised to give birth in hospital.
Will someone visit me at home after the baby is born?
Yes. Your LMC visits you at least 7 times, in hospital and at home. Your midwife visits you at home within 24 hours of you getting home from hospital. After about 5 weeks, your LMC hands over your care to a Well Child Tamariki Ora service.
What is Plunket and does it cost anything?
Plunket is one of the organisations that provide Well Child Tamariki Ora services, and it is free. Well Child Tamariki Ora is free for all children under 5. Your LMC refers you to the service you choose. A nurse then gives your baby regular free health and development checks. At age 4, your child also gets a free B4 School Check.
Answers are based on the verified content of this page — the official source always prevails.
Where can I check the official information?
- Lead maternity carers — midwives and doctorsHealth New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora · healthnz.govt.nz
- Eligibility for publicly funded health and disability servicesHealth New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora · healthnz.govt.nz
- While you're pregnantGovt.nz · govt.nz
- Choosing where to give birthHealth New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora · healthnz.govt.nz
- Free health checks for children under 14Govt.nz · govt.nz
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