Close to 500 people came from all over Wanganui yesterday to march to retain maternity services in the city.
A regional women's health services review and its proposals, currently being considered by the Whanganui District Health Board, could see up to 400 Wanganui women giving birth in Palmerston North each year. The plan has been devised to overcome long-term staff recruitment difficulties.
But the concern of those on the march was around making Wanganui more attractive to obstetric and gynaecology specialists.
Hellen Pohipohi of Born and Raised Pasifika said they were marching for their families who wanted to stay in Wanganui to have their babies.
"Our babies are a very important taonga and the birth of the baby is the highest gift."