Te Mahoe Unit provides a pregnancy termination and counselling service. Our mission is to provide safe, legal and ethical abortion services, within the framework of New Zealand law.

Pre-decision and post-abortion counselling are offered as part of our services. If a woman is uncertain about her options, or would like additional support while making her decision, a prompt appointment can be made to see one of the Te Mahoe Unit counsellors/social workers. Women may self refer for early or post counselling by ringing the Unit directly. 

Pregnancy termination services are available at Te Mahoe Unit from 5-19 weeks gestation. For a termination over 19 weeks of pregnancy, you will need to contact services outside of New Zealand.

Terminations for fetal abnormality are coordinated by the Materno-Fetal Medicine team.

The most suitable method of termination will be determined by the date of the pregnancy, past medical history and other factors that will be discussed between the woman and the certifying doctor.

Termination services are provided by referral only.  Wait times for initial appointments are usually between 1-7 days from referral.  Your termination procedure will be booked after your first visit. Wait times for the termination is generally 1-10 days from the counselling visit, depending on the type of procedure and your gestation. 

Medical terminations are booked Monday - Friday, we can accommodate 3 per day.  Local anaesthetic procedures are done Monday - Friday, with morning and early afternoon surgical lists.  General anaesthetic procedures are limited to 4 per week and 2nd trimester inductions to Wednesdays only.

Early terminations (< 9 weeks) are preferred and are the safest procedures. Although abortion is one of the safest and most common procedures, it is not without risk.  We encourage you to see your GP immediately if you are considering pregnancy termination. Early diagnosis will prevent delays in service provision.

I think I might be pregnant; what do I do?
First you need to confirm your pregnancy with a test.  You can see your GP, Family Planning or do a home test.

I'm pregnant and I'm not sure what to do
You can refer yourself to Te Mahoe Unit for early counselling.  During this visit, our counsellors will help you to identify the options available to you, such as parenting and adoption and provide you with referrals for care or information on local resources.

I'm pregnant and don't want to continue with my pregnancy; who do I call?
A referral to Te Mahoe Unit is made by via a GP. If you choose not to see your usual GP, or feel they may not be supportive of your decision, you may wish to contact another GP for a referral or visit a local Family Planning clinic. At this appointment the GP will confirm your pregnancy, order bloods, swabs, and possibly a scan, and will call or fax a letter of referral to Te Mahoe Unit requesting an appointment for you. We will provide your referring doctor with the date and time of your appointment.

What will happen when I visit Te Mahoe Unit?
Your appointment with Te Mahoe Unit will be on two separate days. On the first visit, "Day 1", you will see a counsellor to discuss your decision, review procedures and provide contraceptive education and planning.  You will then see a doctor for a medical assessment, examination and certification.  If you meet the legal criteria for termination, you will be booked for a second visit.  This first visit will take 3-4 hours.

For most surgical procedures, on "Day 2", the second certifying doctor will be seen and the abortion will take place if you meet the criteria for certification. Plan to be here for 3-4 hours and be sure to bring someone to drive you home.

If you are having a medical termination, the first medication maybe started on Day 1 or another day that is convenient for you. Medical termination may be done with a 24 or 48 hour interval between medicines.

If you are not born in New Zealand, you may have to pay for health services. Eligibility for services is determined by reviewing your visa status. The Ministry of Health (MOH) website can also provide you with additional information. Termination of pregnancy is not considered "urgent" by MOH definition and therefore may not be covered under the reciprocal agreements between Australia and New Zealand.

If you are not eligible for services, the following charges apply as of August 2010:

• Early medical abortion  $984.74
• Surgical procedure under LA  $984.74
• Surgical procedure under GA  $2569.68
• Laminaria insertion $200.00
• Induction of labour $ under review. Please contact Te Mahoe for details.
• Interpreter fees up to $200.00

Mirena IUDs are not subsidised unless medically indicated and cost $315.00.

All fees must be paid at the time of service. 

All individuals born outside of New Zealand are required to bring evidence of their status.  Evidence must be presented at the time of service to confirm eligibility.  If you are unable to produce eligibility evidence, you will be required to pay.  Fees can be reimbursed once documentation has been produced.

We accept Visa, Mastercard, EFTPOS and cash for payment. If you are unable to meet the full cost of the procedure, please discuss with the Unit Manager. It may be possible to make suitable financial arrangements.  

Te Mahoe Unit is a secure unit.  No one is allowed into the Unit without your permission.  When you present for your appointment, we will ask you for the names of all visitors likely to call or present to the Unit.  Please respect the security by limiting your movement in and out of the clinic setting.

We appreciate that this is a stressful time and encourage women to bring a support person to the visit.  However, due to limited space, we do ask that you invite no more than 2 visitors.

We ask that you attempt to find childcare when possible.  You will be here for several hours each visit. Children are not allowed in the waiting room unaccompanied. If you bring children, you must have a responsible adult with you to mind them in the waiting area.  Please be mindful of the fact that it is a long day for children and that small children can disturb other patients in the waiting area.

No children are allowed in the Day 2 ward area.  One support person may accompany you in the ward, however they are not allowed in the operating theatre. Te Mahoe Unit nurses will support you through the procedure and your support person is welcome to wait in your room.

A reminder to support persons, there is no smoking on C&C hospital grounds.

There is a food trolley that comes to the Unit daily with light snacks, sandwiches and drinks. Average prices are from $1-5.00.

There are 2 on-site cafes as well as numerous small cafes within walking distance of the hospital.

You are welcome to bring your own food and drink.

Many of you are coming from out of the Wellington area.  Please check www.wises.co.nz for driving directions to Wellington.

Accessing the new Te Mahoe Unit:

Patients with appointments within the new location will access the unit either from the underground carpark using the green lift and exiting on Level 3 or from the New Hospital main entrance on Riddiford Street and going up the escalator.  When you arrive you will see a door with Te Mahoe on it. This is a secure unit, so please ring the bell and wait for the receptionist to respond. 

A number of bus services (including bus routes 1, 9,10, 11, 12, 18, 22, 23, 42, 43/44) pass by the main entrance of Wellington Hospital in Riddiford Street, Newtown. Details of times and bus numbers are available by calling +64 4 801 7000 or online. Taxis are available from the front of the hospital on Riddiford Street. A free shuttle for patients also runs between Wellington and Kenepuru hospitals. To book, please call Kenepuru Orderlies on (04) 385 5999 ext 7100.

Metlink can give you bus routes and times. TranzMetro has the train schedules into Wellington.

Parking areas for patients and visitors are provided as follows:

Main Public Car Park - entrance off Riddiford Street. This is a well lit car park underneath the hospital with mechanical barrier arms at the entrance. Payment for parking is made by credit card or cash at the machines situated next to the lifts or just before the exit from the car park. 

4 Hour Short Term Car Park - entrance off Mein Street. This is a Pay and Display car park and is suitable for patients visiting the Orthopaedic Clinic. There are three designated mobility parks in this area.

Parking Prices

Car Park Management
Wilson Parking manage the hospital car park in accordance with the C&C DHB Car Park Management Plan. Cars may be towed away if parked in no parking zones (yellow lines). Enforcement Notices are issued in Pay and Display areas where no valid coupon is displayed. All net income from the parking is used by C&C DHB to fund other projects such as the free patient shuttle from Kenepuru to Wellington Hospitals or an on-site shuttle service for patients.

On-Site Patient Shuttle
Wellington Hospital site is quite hilly and C&C DHB provides a free shuttle service for patients and visitors. This shuttle stops at the entrance to all buildings on site, and those catching public transport can catch the shuttle at the shelter just inside the Riddiford Street entrance. One of the shuttles is accessible for patients in wheelchairs.

Free Shuttle Service
A free shuttle for patients runs between Wellington and Kenepuru Hospitals. To book, please call Kenepuru Orderlies on (04) 385 5999 ext 86100.
The shuttle operates Monday to Friday: 7am - 6pm, departing from Wellington (Mein Street Entrance) and Kenepuru (Main Entrance) sites on the hour. Travel time is approximately 40 minutes.

Riddiford Building Hostel
There are accommodation facilities within the Riddiford Building for patients and their relatives. There are 20 single rooms which cost $30 per night or $150 per week; children 12 years old and under are not charged. The rooms are provided with fresh linen and the kitchen is fully equipped with tea, coffee and sugar provided.
For enquiries or to make a booking, contact the Accommodation Manager on ext 5817.

Whanau Care Services
Accommodation at Te Pehi Parata Whanau Whare for patients & whanau.
Temporary accommodation is provided for patients and whanau who are supporting an inpatient from outside the Capital & Coast District Health Board region.
Sometimes patients who are booked to have surgery at Wellington Hospital need to come in before their operation to be assessed by the doctors or nurses. They may be asked to be at hospital early on the morning of their surgery. This can be difficult for patients who live out of the Wellington region.
Accommodation is limited with pre-booking advised. There is one room per whanau for three or four people depending on availability.
Book through Whanau Care Services between 8:00am and 4:30pm Monday to Friday.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
The cost of a room is $30.00 a night with a $10.00 refundable key bond.

There are also several motels in the area with reasonable prices.

Te Mahoe Unit is a secure unit.  This means that only people with appointments and their support persons are allowed into the Unit.  No information will be given out by phone to callers without the express permission of the patient.  At times this can be frustrating for callers and visitors who think we should be more helpful, so please give the receptionist the names of anyone that is likely to call or visit while you are here.  The main hospital operators have also been advised that no information is to be given out to any callers for Te Mahoe Unit patients. If you have any particular security concerns, please advise the receptionist or Manager.

When you approach the Unit for your first visit, you will need to ring the bell to the entrance and wait for the receptionist to answer.

There is often a Right to Life member at the main entrance to the hospital.  They are not allowed onto hospital premises.  If you are approached, please ignore them and continue to the Unit.  They do not know why you are visiting the hospital.  If you are followed onto hospital property, please report this to the manager of the Unit and it will be reported to security.