Parents and Families

We are sorry if you are reading this because you have lost a baby or a mother who was dear to you. As a Committee we offer you our condolences and hope that you are getting the support you need to deal with such a difficult experience.

Our Committee was established by the Minister of Health to review deaths of babies (from 20 weeks pregnancy to 28 days after death and women who die as a result of pregnancy or child birth. Our aim is to advise the Minister of Health on how to prevent such deaths in the future.

If you want to tell us anything about the death of your loved one please feel free to contact us.

How is the information used?

We treat all information as confidential and store it on a secure database.

This means it is difficult for us to provide you with any feedback from our database. If you want to know anything more about what we do or how the information will be used, please feel free to contact us.

We review all the information gathered about babies or mothers in New Zealand (including any information you give us) and make recommendations to the Minister of Health about how we can reduce preventable deaths. This information is also included in our annual reports. If you would like a copy sent to you please contact us.

Unhappy about anything that happened?

Please note we do not deal with complaints or do any investigations. If you are unhappy about anything that happened then there are people whose job it is to deal with such problems. There is a page on the Ministry of Health Website that may help - view the Ministry of Health page on making a complaint.

Related information

Information about the Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee
An information sheet for health professionals and families about the work that we perform.

Coronial Services of New Zealand (www.justice.govt.nz)
The Coronial Services of New Zealand serves the community through investigating circumstances and causes of death in a respectful and professional manner. The findings of these investigations will be used to make recommendations for the improvement of public safety and to prevent deaths in similar circumstances.

When Someone Dies: A Guide to Coronial Services in new Zealand
A booklet for those dealing with the death of a loved one. This beautifully presented booklet explains the coroners process including the people involved, the role of the Police and reasons for post-mortem examinations Also covered are practical matters such as death certificates, identification of the deceased and support for the bereaved.

Finding Hope (www.findinghope.org.nz)
Finding Hope is a private trust that states its aim as "helping Mothers find their wings". The Trust provides care, support and education to mothers (and their families) with Postnatal Depression and related conditions. The Trust also seeks to increase awareness and understanding of Post Natal Depression (PND).

Kidshealth (www.kidshealth.org.nz)
Kidshealth is a child and youth health information website to support parents and health professionals. The site is a joint initiative between the Starship Foundation and the Paediatric Society of New Zealand.

The Kids Help Foundation Trust (www.whatsup.co.nz)
0800 WHATSUP (0800 9428787) is a telephone counselling service. All children and young people aged between 5 and 18 in New Zealand are free to call between noon and midnight seven days.

Skylight (www.skylight.org.nz)
Skylight provides unique support to children, young people and their families/whānau through change, loss, trauma and grief - whatever the cause.

Stillbirth and Newborn Death Support Group (www.sands.org.nz)
Sands branches around New Zealand are parents helping to care for other bereaved parents, families and friends. We promote awareness, understanding and support for those dealing with the death of a baby in pregnancy, birth or neonatally, or due to medical termination, and other forms of reproductive loss.

Suicide Prevention Information New Zealand (www.spinz.org.nz)
SPINZ is associated with the Mental Health Foundation, its kaupapa or main purpose is to provide best practice information on suicide prevention that supports effective intervention and prevention across Aotearoa-New Zealand.