About Us

Kapiti Midwives has provided midwifery care to women on the Kapiti Coast since 1992.  We are a group of 6 midwives who share similar philosophies surrounding labour and birth.  We support each other professionally and personally and work well as a team.

Our People

Anne MacMillan

I have been with Kapiti Midwives since 1995, and have seen many developments to independent midwifery in that time.

Originally from Scotland, I returned to the UK in the 1970’s to train as a midwife. Before coming to Kapiti to live, I worked in Delivery Suites in various hospitals in NZ.

I am married with 3 adult children.

I believe that the NZ model of care is ideal for women and midwives. It’s a hugely rewarding and challenging profession.

Pauleen Norman

I am a Registered General Nurse and Midwife and have been a practising midwife since 1974.  I worked in Wellington Hospital for many years and became an Independent Midwife in 1992.  For the last 4 years I have been living on the Kapiti Coast and enjoy the relaxed lifestyle and delivering at the local birthing unit.  I am married and have 2 grown up children.

Gwen Ryan

My philosophy:

"Birth is a normal life event and I believe all women are entitled to the most holistic and natural childbirth experience that is appropriate for them.”

My name is Gwen Ryan and I live in Raumati Beach with my partner and my four children aged 2, 12, 14 and 17. I have been working with Kapiti Midwives, an established group on the Coast, for 3 years.

Every birth is different so whether this is a woman’s first birth or subsequent birth I will support them through the whole journey which can be terrifying, challenging, ecstatic or all three. I believe in a woman’s ability to naturally birth her baby in the setting of her choice. The partnership between a midwife and a woman and her family/whanau is one that cannot be mirrored in any other way and I believe in respecting the choices, values and beliefs of each woman individually.

It is important to me that each woman has a midwife that she feels comfortable with and well supported by. My midwifery practice will provide continuous midwifery care to clients from conception to six weeks postnatal, with miscarriage support and advice as necessary.

Antenatal visits can take place in clinic rooms at Kapiti Health Centre in Warrimoo St, Paraparaumu. Postnatal visits will take place in the home. The place of birth is the woman’s choice – home, birthing unit or hospital. I believe the place of birth is of utmost importance and I hope to work together with women, providing information, to choose the place of birth best suited to each individual. I feel completely comfortable in the primary birth settings: either home or the Paraparaumu and Kenepuru Maternity Units. I am also familiar with the tertiary hospital setting in Wellington, and provide care to women choosing any of these environments. Supporting women to achieve a normal, natural birth in any setting is my ultimate goal.

I have also successfully completed a Certificate in Midwifery Acupuncture and a course in homeopathy and I believe these are valuable tools in helping women toward natural childbirth.

Noreen Roche

I am a Scottish trained registered nurse and midwife. I was a founding member of Kapiti Midwives in 1992 and have worked with the group for various lengths of time since then.

I have also worked in the local maternity unit and in Wellington Womens Hospital. I am also an International Board Certified  Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).

I provide care to women wherever they choose to birth and provide postnatal care in the home environment.  I am married with three adult children.

Neve Spiers

I am Neve Spiers. I came to be a midwife through the many varied experiences I had while pregnant with my five children who range in age from 7-20 years. Pregnancy, childbirth and being a parent come with many challenges and excitement.

As a midwife I believe nature designed women inherently to birth and thankfully this ability works well most of the time. I am privileged to be able to work in a primary unit with the best bath in the Wellington region, equally I enjoy homebirth and do travel if required into Wellington for labour and birth. I am honoured by those women who allow me to care for them during this most special time in their lives.

Tanya Stewart

My name is Tanya Stewart and I live in Raumati Beach with my four children who all attend Raumati Beach School.

I have recently completed my three year Bachelor of Midwifery Degree from Massey University in Wellington. My background has been in the biological sciences, followed by Antenatal Education with Kapiti Birthing on the Coast. I also have strong connections with the Kapiti Homebirth Support group for which I was the coordinator for five years.

My philosophy on pregnancy and childbirth is that is a normal physiological life event, and given the right environment and supportive midwifery care every woman and her family will have a rewarding childbirth experience with dignity and respect.

I plan to work in partnership with women and their families, using my skills and knowledge to promote health and well being for women and their babies during the antenatal period, childbirth and six weeks after the baby is born.

For me it is an honour to be a midwife and to be invited to share in this most special time during a woman and her family’s life.