Grieving parents Tui Kaitani and partner Priyanka Prasad at the grave of their daughter Aaliyah.
What should have been a joyful time for Priyanka Prasad and her partner Tui Kaitani has turned into an agonising nightmare as the couple’s newborn girl died 48 hours after her birth.
Baby Aaliya Kaitani arrived on August 25, 2025 said Prasad, who has two other children.
But Aaliya was born with meconium aspiration - where a baby breathes meconium into its lungs before, during or after birth.
Less than 48 hours later, Aaliya passed away in her mother’s arms in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Middlemore Hospital.
“The night before she died, I had a feeling that her condition was getting worse. I kept telling Tui that something wasn’t right,” Prasad, 31 told the Herald.
“I was so heartbroken, I didn’t know what to do. We were so confused because we didn’t expect her to die.”
Vanessa Thornton, Group Director of Operations, Counties Manukau, Health New Zealand, told the Herald all the proper procedures around Aaliya’s birth and care were followed.
She also acknowledged that baby Aaliya’s predicament wasn’t communicated clearly enough with the family.
“Our review of the care provided to Aaliya showed that she received the expected standard of care for her condition and staffing levels did not affect the care provided,” Thornton said.
“We do recognise that our communication with Ms Prasad and her family should have been better.
“Our goal is to ensure that families feel fully informed and supported at every stage of care and we apologise that this did not occur in this instance” she said.
Prasad said she had a smooth pregnancy until the 36th week.
“I experienced bleeding, dizziness, and chest pain. At 36 weeks, Aaliya’s growth had slowed significantly. Although my midwife requested an early induction, this was declined by hospital doctors. I firmly believe that had I been induced earlier, Aaliya might still be with us today,” Prasad said.
In a written response to Prasad, the hospital said Aaliya’s 36 week scans were reviewed by the Charge Midwife Manager and the slowing of Aaliya’s growth was “minimal”. A further growth scan at 38 weeks found Aaliya’s condition had “normalised.”
“The birth was pretty quick and easy” said Prasad.
“We were told after Aaliya was born that she had thick meconium aspiration and [she was] transferred to Middlemore’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
“Tui accompanied her to the NICU while I remained in maternity for postnatal care. He believed that within 36 hours she’d be fine and out of NICU,” Prasad said.
But Aaliya’s condition worsened the next day.
On 26 August Prasad had a shower, and her bloodwork done. “I was assured I would be updated on any changes in Aaliya’s condition,” she said.
“When I returned to NICU, I was informed that Aaliya’s right lung had partially collapsed. I was confused and not given a clear explanation of what this meant for her condition.
“I overheard doctors mention that Aaliya’s blood pressure was very low, yet no one communicated this to me.
“Later that afternoon, we were suddenly informed that her condition had worsened and she required intubation.
“I was only told on the morning of the 27th that she wouldn’t make it.
“A team of doctors surrounded Aaliya. A female doctor then informed me that Aaliya had deteriorated overnight despite being on the highest level of ventilation. I was told she was now critical and may not survive.
“Receiving this devastating news alone was unbearable.
“Tui rushed back and made it in time to hold Aaliya before she passed away in my arms.”
Prasad is thankful for the care she and Kaitani were offered after Aaliya took her last breath.
“We were offered support from the bereavement and baby loss teams and given the opportunity for professional photos, for which we are deeply grateful,” Prasad said.
“Dr Jacqueline Lee explained that Aaliya’s lungs were too severely damaged, despite all efforts to save her.
“No counselling was offered, despite later learning we were entitled to two free sessions” Prasad said.
The hospital has since explained to the couple that counselling is available - but from their GP, not the hospital - and apologised for not making that clearer.
The couple met with Middlemore staff in September to share their disappointment about communication around Aliya’s care and death.
They also complained to the Health and Disability Commission, who referred the complaint back to Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau as the agency best placed to respond to their concerns.
Thornton said Middlemore Hospital had a tremendous amount of sympathy for Prasad and her whānau.
“We have expressed our heartfelt condolences to Ms Prasad and her family for the tragic loss of their daughter Aaliya,” Thornton said.
“We met with Ms Prasad to discuss her concerns, and we would welcome a further meeting with Ms Prasad and her family.
“We regret the distress and pain this loss has caused Ms Prasad and her family, and we acknowledge the courage it took for Ms Prasad to share her experience with us.”
Joseph Los’e joined NZME in 2022 as Kaupapa Māori Editor. Los’e was a chief reporter, news director at the Sunday News newspaper covering crime, justice and sport. He was also editor of the NZ Truth and worked for urban Māori organisation Whānau Waipareira.