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Story: Pregnancy, birth and baby care

Private maternity home, Wellington, 1949

Private maternity home, Wellington, 1949

This is the Willis Street Obstetrics Hospital building in 1949. Constructed about 1876, it had been converted into a maternity home by Dr Louis Levy in 1920. Some women paid to give birth in small private maternity hospitals run by doctors, nurses or midwives. These were mainly located in urban areas. Most private maternity homes were converted houses. Levy ran the home until about 1945. By this time, private maternity homes were less common because women could give birth free of charge in public hospitals.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Dominion Post Collection (PA-Group-00685)

Reference: 1/2-090567-F

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Kerryn Pollock, Pregnancy, birth and baby care – Childbirth, 19th century to 1950s, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/26163/private-maternity-home-wellington-1949 (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Kerryn Pollock, published 29 March 2011.

Comments

AJ
08 October 2022
I was born in 1967 in a private maternity that was closing down. My parents told me it was in Avalon, Lower Hutt, and that I was the last baby to be born there. I was due at Easter, but was induced early as the maternity home couldn't close until I'd been born, and the doctor wanted to go on holiday for Easter, and my mother wanted to be home for Easter. I do remember the name Sister Lyons, as there is a photo of her from the 60s in one of my parents' photo books, but I can't remember whether it was with me or one my siblings. The address given for the Avon Maternity Home is in Penrose St, which is Woburn. Was there another maternity home in Avalon? If so, does anyone know what it was called?
Jennifer Wright
04 December 2021
Hi, I’m looking we’re my mother gave birth to me, I have always understood it to be a private nursing home, but my birth certificate now states (never noticed this on previous ones?) that it was Temari Public Hospital, which I put down as our Lower Hutt Public hospital. Aunties had always verified I was born in a small private hospital, which I think was very close to the now Hutt hospital but I think it wasn’t there at the time. I was born in 1958, and my younger sister was born in 1960 in Lower Hutt hospital.
Justeen Jones
30 December 2019
Does anyone know of a private house/residence in Nelson Street, Petone, Wellington that was known as a place where women gave birth in 1937?
Pat Wiffin
20 May 2017
I am trying to find information about the Harris Maternity Hospital, Ghuznee Street where I was born in 1937.
Heather Davis (nee Bell)
19 February 2016
I was born at the Avon Maternity Home, 12 Penrose St, Lower Hutt on 9th March 1946.My parents Mary Bridget and Alan Vivian Bell lived at Tirohanga Road, Melling. I think my brother Robert Edward Bell, born 1st September 1948 would have been born there too. The Docter at my birth was Dr J Emmett Giesen and the nurse was Sister Lyons.
Andrew Dykes
22 December 2015
My name is Andrew Dykes. I was born in the Avon maternity home in 1961. My parents were Maurice and Janet Dykes of Lowery Bay. My Grandparents were Hedley and Gwyneth Huthnance from 44 Ludlum crescent. Does anyone remember them? Andrew Dykes

02 November 2015
Hi Kay - someone else may be able to provide a more precise location, but a newspaper article from 1939 gives the address as 38 Knight's Road, Lower Hutt. Note that the street numbers have probably changed since then though. Regards, Jamie Mackay
kay ruscoe
29 September 2015
Where was Te Maru private hospital at Lower Hutt in 1937?
Ross Shotton
06 January 2015
I was born in the Harris Hospital 24 October 1945 and (later of course) went to Te Aro School. At my class's 60th anniversary (1958 last year at Te Aro) I casually mentioned to two class mates where I was born. They both responded that was where they were born too - so clearly it was a service for the area. We lived on Landcross St - for me about 10 minutes walk/run away. I passed the Hospital every Sunday morning from about 1951 - 1955 on my way to Sunday school at St Peters. I see that Ghuznee (in Afghanistan) is still in the news. My good friend Denis Smith lived aqt 21 Buller St - just along the road.
Elaine Boyd
16 February 2014
The Avon Maternity Home was located at 12 Penrose Street Lower Hutt. We lived at 6 Penrose St and my brother was born at 'the Avon' in 1951. I believe it closed in the 1960's. I was born at the Willis Street Obstetric Hospital in 1941, under the care of Dr T Corkill.
Elaine Boyd
16 February 2014
Avon Maternity Home was a bungalow at 12 Penrose St Lower Hutt. It was run by Sister Lyons and a nurse aide called Rachel. Mothers stayed there for the birth, and for 2 weeks after to help them recover and establish breastfeeding. Some mothers admitted to having a baby so they could have a rest for 2 weeks!! We lived at ^ Penrose Street, and my brother was born at 'the Avon' in 1951. I believe it closed in the 1960's.
Mrs Kath Julian
05 October 2011
This is amazing as both myself and my sister were born at 278 Willis Street Hospital (Dr. Levy) in 1926 and 1935 respectively. The address is on both our birth certificates and my birth notice from a Wellington Newspaper which I have refers to Willis Street Obstetric Hospital.
Richard
12 August 2011
Where was Avon maternity hospital in 1944 ? Lower Hutt or Wellington ?
jacqiline skelt
05 August 2011
I am still searching for information about Harris Private Hospital Ghuznee Street, Wellington 1949