New Zealand Legislation: Acts

5A Preliminary notice of birth

• (1) A preliminary notice must be given in accordance with this section for each birth in New Zealand.

  (2) If a birth takes place during or immediately before the mother's admission to hospital, the occupier of the hospital must give the preliminary notice.

  (3) If a birth does not take place during or immediately before the mother's admission to hospital, the preliminary notice must be given by—

  • (a) a doctor, if he or she is present at the birth; or

  • (b) a midwife, if he or she is present at the birth but a doctor is not present; or

  • (c) the occupier of premises where the birth takes place or where the mother is admitted immediately after the birth, if neither a doctor nor a midwife is present.

  (4) A preliminary notice is given by completing, signing, and giving the standard form preliminary notice to a Registrar within 5 working days after the birth.

  (5) The Registrar-General must notify the Director-General of Health of all still-births for which a preliminary notice has been given.

  Section 5A: inserted, on 24 January 2009, by section 9 of the Births, Deaths, Marriages, and Relationships Registration Amendment Act 2008 (2008 No 48).