Under current law stillbirths must be officially registered, but the only available option has been the standard Birth Registration form. Photo: 123rf
The minister for mental health is looking into changing the process of registering a stillbirth for grieving parents.
Matt Doocey said the government intends to make it more compassionate and supportive.
Under current law stillbirths must be officially registered, but the only available option has been the standard Birth Registration (BRO) form on the SmartStart website.
This platform presented the same information and pathways used to register live births.
Doocey said many families had described this process as upsetting and inappropriate, considering their circumstances.
"Losing a baby is a heartbreaking experience. For too long, families have had no choice but to complete stillbirth registrations through the same online process designed for parents welcoming home a healthy newborn.
"That's not good enough. We've heard from grieving families that it adds unnecessary pain at an already traumatic and distressing time."
Every year in New Zealand approximately 700 to 900 families experienced perinatal loss, and an additional 13,000 to 15,000 families were affected by miscarriage before 20 weeks.
The minister said Health New Zealand was now working with the Department of Internal Affairs on a new approach to enable parents to complete a stillbirth registration through the Whetūrangitia website.
Matt Doocey. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
He said this would be a dedicated space built specifically and compassionately to support families who have experienced baby loss.
"Whetūrangitia was created with compassion and cultural safety at its heart. Enabling parents to complete a stillbirth registration through this site will mean they can engage with a process that acknowledges their loss and helps connect them with appropriate services and support.
"We're committed to making sure parents who lose a baby are met with dignity, care, and the right support at every step. This change is a simple but meaningful way to reduce harm and show compassion at one of the most difficult times in someone's life."
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