Millions owed on non-resident births

Foreigners giving birth in New Zealand have racked up millions of dollars in unpaid bills, despite rules around their maternity care being tightened in 2003.

The number of babies born to non-resident women rose from 3248 to 3866 between 2005-06 and 2006-07, with hospital deliveries costing between $5000 to more than $12,000 if a Caesarean was required, the Dominion Post reported.

All maternity care was free in New Zealand prior to 2003 but the rules were tightened after revelations that foreign women were cashing in on free care.

Since then, taxpayer-funded care was limited to women who met certain conditions, such as holding New Zealand citizenship or residency, who had refugee status or a certain working visa, or who fell under the reciprocal agreement with Australia and Britain.

In June, Lithuanian Jurga Skiauteris, 29, was granted an extension to her visitor's visa so she could give birth in New Zealand after doctors said it was too dangerous for her to travel home. Although Mrs Skiauteris had health insurance, the Immigration Service rejected two appeals on the basis Mrs Skiauteris was "not of an acceptable standard of health" and would require expensive hospital care and pharmaceuticals.

Despite the thousands of foreign women receiving maternity care here, Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman said New Zealand "simply does not have the healthcare resources to offer maternity services to visitors", even if they were prepared to pay.

Auckland immigration lawyer Aaron Martin said many people on work visas were confused about their entitlements.

- NZPA