Govt Misled Mothers on Postnatal Stays: Labour

Postnatal stays were sold like an instant win for new mothers, but Labour says the Government’s own plan tells a very different story. If full access is years away, then this wasn’t health policy landing. It was political marketing dressed up as care.

The Government owes New Zealand mothers an explanation after admitting it falsely claimed all women would immediately be entitled to three-day postnatal hospital stays.

“The Government has spent days advertising a policy that simply doesn’t exist,” Ayesha Verrall said.

“National MPs fronted videos and media telling Kiwi women that postnatal stays were being extended to three days for all mothers. The Prime Minister has now admitted that wasn’t true.

Postnatal stays were promised before they existed

“Many women won’t be entitled to a three-day stay for years, and none are entitled to it now. The Government’s own implementation plan says full access won’t be available until 2029.

“Christopher Luxon claims it was a mistake. So why did it take public scrutiny for the Government to correct it? Why were ministers promoting a benefit they knew wasn’t available to most women? This is worse than a mistake – it’s a broken promise.

Mothers deserve facts, not marketing spin

“Women making decisions about pregnancy, birth and postnatal care deserve honesty, not political marketing dressed up as health policy.

“Labour supports improving postnatal care and ensuring women who need longer stays can access them. But promising to make something available years before it can actually be delivered is misleading and risks undermining trust in our health system.

“New Zealand mothers deserve facts, not false advertising,” Ayesha Verrall said.