PM opens centre for 'precious children'

Bethlehem Birthing Centre co-founders Nicky Campbell, left, and Chloe Wright at the official opening with Prime Minister John Key cutting the ribbon. Photo / George Novak

Nothing is more precious than children, Prime Minister John Key said when he opened the Bethlehem Birthing Centre yesterday.

It was crucially important they had the best start in life.

"This is going to be a great place of importance and joy for the community," he said.

Parents needed reassurance they had access to a world-class service with all the care and attention.

Mr Key opened the centre during a whirlwind tour of the Bay that included visits to Brookfield Primary School and Mount Maunganui College.

Centre co-founder Chloe Wright told the crowd of about 150 the centre had been a dream that had become a reality.

The mother of five said she had been up close and personal with a leopard and had to leave the Amazon River in the middle of the night to escape terrorists but "nothing has been quite as exciting as today".

A circle of light would beam outside the building every time a child was born to create a sense of community, she said.

The privately owned, publicly funded birthing centre was expected to open next month and had been purpose built with 12 modern rooms that incorporate a queen bed, bath, ensuite and flatscreen TV.

Mothers and babies were able to stay three nights at no charge.

The concept, which was new for Tauranga, had the support of Tauranga Hospital and Bay of Plenty District Health Board.

National MP Simon Bridges said the facility was fantastic and an asset for the city.

Ever since he had been elected to Parliament a lot of young mums had lobbied him for a birthing centre, he said.

"It's great that we have finally got one that gives people the option when they have littlies."

Health board family whanau adviser Hori Ahomiro said the facility was long overdue and he hoped Maori midwives would be part of the staff.

"I think those conversations are happening now and we have got to see what transpires. But I would hope Maori are represented."

Centre co-founder Nicky Campbell said it had not got all its staff on board but the centre had been working with Maori providers.

Kaumatua Te Ruru Anga Te Keeti was impressed with the sleek interior fit-out and said the facility would provide community benefits for "our mothers-to-be" and the associated wrap-around services.

Bay of Plenty National MP Todd Muller said it was a coup to have Mr Key in Tauranga after only being sworn in last week.

"It's an acknowledgement of how important this area is."

Today Mr Key was in Auckland after flying out of the region and said Air New Zealand was still on notice regarding providing cheaper regional travel.

"They have certainly got the message from us that we expect them to sharpen their pencils when it comes to regional tourism."

However, he said, Air New Zealand was entitled to make a fair return on investment.

John Key taking selfies with students at Mount Maunganui College. Photo / George Novak

Prime Minister pops into two Bay schools to mix and mingle

If John Key wasn't the Prime Minister he would like to be an airline pilot or butcher. Contrary to popular belief his favourite colour is yellow not blue and when it comes to favourite foods it would be a toss up between Bluff oysters and Goody Goody Gum Drops ice-cream.

These were his off-the-cuff answers to a barrage of questions asked by Brookfield Primary School pupils yesterday when they had class time with Mr Key and National MPs Simon Bridges and Todd Muller. Dressed in a smart pin-striped suit and crisp green tie, he looked comfortable on bended knee making small talk with his young audience.

Image 1 of 6: ''I would let everyone in the world have burgers for free.'' Ellie White, 8. Photo/George Novak

Principal Robert Hyndman said the visit was on short notice and a "nice surprise" for the pupils. "We have tried to keep it low key and give him the opportunity to go around the classes and see what we do everyday. It's a chance for him to mix and mingle ..."

Mr Key moved from room to room watching children write letters and navigate iPads.

In Room 9, he was put on the spot when questioned by an 8-year-old on: "what is the worst thing about being the Prime Minister?"

The worst thing is you have to make some really tough decisions sometimes, he said. "I had to send our soldiers off to Afghanistan and a few of them died over there so that was a tough decision. I think sometimes you can't fix all the problems overnight ... but you do the best to try and improve things."

Queenstown was probably his favourite place in the world but he also really liked Mount Maunganui and was trying to convince his sister to shift there, he said.

At his second school visit at Mount Maunganui College, Mr Key and his MPs were given school ties and entertained by Smokefreerockquest regional winners and college rock band Joe's Van, and Dance NZ Made national winners performing their contemporary dance piece Auschwitz.

Mr Key told a packed assembly "ability accounts for lots but attitude accounts for a lot more".

He encouraged the teenagers to extend their education because they were living in a competitive environment. He also acknowledged the drug problem and suicide rate among youth and said it was important to seek help.

He agreed surf lifesaving should receive more funding from the Government but the bottom line was the Government could not put money into everything no matter how worthwhile.

Invitation

Pregnant women and their support person are invited to attend a mums' open day at Bethlehem Birthing Centre at the corner of State Highway 2 and Paeroa Rd on Tuesday from 10am to 11am and 7pm to 8pm.