Wānaka birthing centre still waiting for first baby

After opening its doors on Monday Wānaka's new birthing centre is still waiting for its first delivery.

Health New Zealand Southern director of midwifery Karen Ferraccioli says up to 30 people have been seen at Rākai Kahukura this week so far, but a baby is yet to be born there. 

She says it has been "a fantastic first week of operation". 

The facility in a converted lodge in Albert Town has been long-awaited by midwives and families, who until now have had to travel out of the town to birth in a healthcare setting.

It includes one birthing room with an ensuite and a birthing pool, with flexibility to provide a second birthing room when required, four post-natal rooms, and an onsite antenatal clinic with four rooms.

Ms Ferraccioli says it is "a wonderful asset for the community and our midwifery team...located in a beautiful setting which makes you feel at home".

She confirms planning is also underway for an onsite landing area for use by Otago Southland Rescue Helicopters to aid emergency transfers to Invercargill or Dunedin.

In Wānaka there are nine full-time equivalent midwifery staff who are able to work at or from the new unit with families from the beginning of the pregnancy to up to six weeks after any birth, she says.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Health Minister Dr Shane Reti officially welcomed the much-delayed birthing centre with a blessing ceremony at the end of June.

Unexpected hurdles in converting the residential accommodation into a healthcare building slowed down the construction process.