Articles tagged with Perinatal Loss

New Website Whetūrangitia Eases Stillbirth Registration and Support for Parents

1 month ago | 226 views

Grieving parents in New Zealand can now register their stillborn babies through Whetūrangitia, a dedicated website designed to provide a more compassionate and supportive experience compared to the previous SmartStart system. The new platform, informed by those who have experienced loss, offers tailored information, birth certificate ordering, and access to mental health support, with Budget 2026 allocating $5 million to enhance these services. This initiative aims to reduce distress and provide coordinated care for the approximately 700 to 900 families affected by perinatal loss annually, as well as those impacted by miscarriage.

Tags: Whetūrangitia Matt Doocey stillbirth grieving parents SmartStart bereavement pathway mental health support Budget 2026 perinatal loss miscarriage

New Compassionate Stillbirth Registration Process Launched for Grieving Parents

8 months ago | 701 views

The Government is improving the stillbirth registration process to be more compassionate and supportive for grieving parents, moving away from the standard online form designed for live births. Health NZ and the Department of Internal Affairs are collaborating to enable registrations through the Whetūrangitia website, which offers a culturally safe and sensitive experience tailored to families experiencing baby loss. This initiative aims to provide dignity, care, and appropriate support during a traumatic time, benefiting the hundreds of families affected by perinatal loss annually in New Zealand.

Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Minister Health NZ Department of Internal Affairs Whetūrangitia stillbirth registration perinatal loss miscarriage grieving parents New Zealand government