North Shore councillor Richard Hills is in Northland at Whangarei today to see the surrogate mother of his baby. Photo / Dean Purcell
North Shore councillor Richard Hills is in Northland at Whangarei today to see the surrogate mother of his baby. Photo / Dean Purcell
Auckland councillor Richard Hills and his husband have been at Whangārei in Northland since last Friday evening for the birth of their surrogate child.
Hills told the Herald his husband got an exemption from the Ministry of Health last week to cross the border and travel north for the birth and take legal ownership and care of the baby once it is born.
He said the baby is due any time, adding the couple will stay up north until the baby is born and a little while afterwards. It will be the couple's first child.
"It's a very personal issue. My family and our surrogate family, it's high stress already around the [Covid] rules and all that and we are trying to do everything right," said Hills.
He said the couple were complying with all the rules and Covid test for travelling outside Auckland.
A Rotorua man, Kelvin Acutt, who was refused an exemption to cross the Auckland border for the birth of his triplets, said it was amazing for Hills to be able to attend the birth of his child.
"Nobody should have to not see their child being born, but I feel a bit miffed that he was granted an exemption but not me," said Acutt.
Three weeks ago, Kelvin and Amber Acutt were both allowed into Auckland after their doctor determined Amber, who is 28 weeks pregnant, would need to be admitted to Auckland Hospital for constant monitoring.
The family, which includes the couple's 14-month-old daughter, simply could not afford to go without work for up to six weeks.
Kelvin sought an exemption from the ministry so he could go back to work in Rotorua and rush back to Auckland when he gets word that the babies are about to come.
The Ministry of Health rejected his proposed travel exemption based on three criteria: whether he could delay or avoid travelling; if there was a risk to life, health or safety if the exemption wasn't granted; and the overall risk to public health.
"Based on the information you have given us we have determined your need for travelling is not essential right now," a letter from the ministry said.
Acutt said his wife is back in Rotorua and may have to return to Auckland for the birth of the babies, who are due in about 10 days. He has been able to travel with his wife for scans to Auckland, but is not permitted to travel by himself.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff. Photo / File
A spokesman for Auckland Mayor Phil Goff said he had been informed by Hills that an exemption was granted by the Ministry of Health to cross the boundary for childcare reasons.
"Councillor Hills followed the same process as anyone else wishing to cross the boundary and the mayor will not be commenting further on what is a private matter. He wishes Richard and his family well," the spokesman said.
The Government decided today to keep Northland and Waikato in alert level 3.
It also follows a new Covid-19 case last night, a truck driver who travelled from Auckland to Northland and back, and two unlinked cases in Waikato today.
The weaknesses at the boundary have come under intense scrutiny as case numbers in Auckland continue to rise, and the virus continues to escape the city.
