Eastern Bay people have been understandably concerned and anxious that Whakatāne’s secondary maternity services unit has been closed until further notice, with secondary services now only available from Tauranga Hospital.

In acknowledgment of the wide level of community concern and anxiety, a Hīkoi for our Health Services is being organised by a team lead by Whakatāne councillor Nandor Tanczos. Attending the hīkoi on Saturday, February 15, will be our Green Party MP holding the health portfolio Hūhana Lyndon.

In addition to supporting the hikoi, Hūhana will be meeting community leaders and health professionals in Ōpōtiki and Whakatāne to hear their stories to be able to represent their concerns in parliament.

Hailing from Tai Tokerau (Northland), Hūhana has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by rural communities, especially when it comes to provision of healthcare.

“Our regional hospitals are more than just buildings – they’re lifelines for our rural communities. This Government has a duty to invest in Whakatāne Hospital, so our people receive the essential services they deserve,“ she says.

Local voices have been loud and unequivocal in speaking out about the current situation. A recent public meeting was held in Whakatāne, attended by representatives of Health New Zealand, and community leaders.

However, because of the small size of the venue, many attendees were limited to trying to follow proceedings from outside the venue.

According to expectant mother Jess Suisted, “it is deeply concerning that Whakatāne Hospital won't be able to help if I need secondary care when in labour. I live 50 minutes away from Whakatāne, which is a big hike on any day, let alone when in labour … and  Tauranga is a further 90-minute drive from there. I've already heard way too many stories of other local mama and babies in scary situations having to be transferred to Tauranga Hospital for emergency help, and then have to face the stress of an already busy and potentially understaffed maternity ward."

Although Health NZ has noted that the closure of secondary services is not intended to be a permanent solution, there is no commitment to a date for re-opening of services, with well-known staffing issues at Whakatāne Hospital likely to prove an impediment to any re-opening. Current service cuts, particularly those that affect our poorly served rural and remote communities are made worse against a backdrop of a dysfunctional, extremely stretched, and poorly funded health system suffering from years of wilful neglect and budget cuts. While our East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick has stated that the current situation at Whakatāne Hospital is not being driven by budget cuts, rather staffing and operational issues, the outcomes strongly align with the ideology of our coalition government that is only considering the economic value of services with no value given to health equity and accessibility, and the social well-being of our communities.

In the Beacon in January 2025, an anonymous medical source was quoted as feeling that Whakatāne Hospital had been deemed a low priority by health officials. This is reflected by Nandor Tanczos: “What is even more concerning is that this isn't just an issue about secondary maternity services. I am hearing from medical staff who tell me that the problems are right across the hospital with several other departments on the brink. We have amazing staff working under huge pressure and they are being let down by a dysfunctional system. We need to demand better.”

We invite you to join the Hīkoi for our Health Services on February 15. Meet a Mitchell Park in Whakatāne at 12pm where our community will stand together for the services that our expectant mothers and their newborns expect for a healthy and safe start in life, no matter what the complications.

Ilmars Gravis is co-convenor of the Ōpōtiki – Whakatāne branch of the Green Party of Aotearoa. To join your local Green Party Branch contact us at [email protected]  or go online at greens.org.nz/members