Celebrating a birth at Christchurch Women's Hospital

No flowers on the maternity ward

Health NZ states: "Unfortunately flowers are not permitted in the wards or other areas of Christchurch Hospital or Christchurch Women's Hospital." The former Canterbury DHB has stated (on a 2022 page now only available as an archive) that flowers and potted plants were not allowed in any wards, including the Maternity Ward and Birthing Suite. That older page is not repeated today, but the current rule is just as strict.

Welcome-home flowers

The hospital's suggestion is to buy a flower voucher at a hospital gift shop so flowers are delivered when the new parent goes home, or to choose another gift. A bouquet timed for the first days at home often gets more attention than one on a busy ward. See our Christchurch flower delivery page for home deliveries.

• Choose a low-maintenance arrangement that does not need a vase hunt with a newborn in arms.
• Avoid strongly scented blooms if anyone in the house has allergies; our hay fever guide explains why.
• If the family has a cat or dog, look at our pet-safe flowers list.

Visiting the new arrival

Visiting hours are 10am to 8pm every day. On the maternity ward, a support person and siblings of a new baby can visit between 8am and 9pm every day. Only parents can visit the neonatal unit (NICU). The hospital's phone number is 03 364 4699.

Community maternity units

The same archived Canterbury rule covered the community maternity units at Rangiora, Selwyn, Ashburton, Kaikōura and Darfield. See Rangiora Health Hub for one of them.

Services on the women's side of the campus

Health NZ's page lists maternity assessment units, maternity clinics and the Matatiki neonatal service. There are also gynaecology outpatient clinics, colposcopy and hysteroscopy services, a Birth Afterthoughts Clinic and a maternal fetal medicine unit.

Parents of babies in the neonatal unit are welcome there 24 hours a day, and only parents can visit.

Getting there and who to call

The hospital is part of the Christchurch Hospital campus. Premium metered parking in front of the emergency department is limited, with the first 30 minutes free. A free shuttle runs from the Deans Avenue car park, and bus routes 3, 5, 7, 8, 60, 80 to 86, 91 and 92 serve the site.

• General enquiries: 03 364 4699
• Patient enquiries: 03 364 4309
• Healthline: 0800 611 116
• Emergencies: 111

The volunteers' gift shop is in the main Christchurch Hospital foyer, and there are five cafés on the campus. For flowers once the family is home, see Christchurch flower delivery.

Address for the order

• 2 Riccarton Avenue, Christchurch (Christchurch Hospital campus), 8011
• Christchurch
• Phone 03 364 4699

Write the patient’s full name and ward on the card and the order. Rules checked 6 November 2026; hospitals change their rules, so call the ward if you are unsure.