Midwives in Auckland and Northland will be the first to walk off the job today, as consecutive days of rolling strikes around the country kick off.
Over the coming week about 1500 hospital midwives will down tools across the country in rolling eight hour strikes following failed negotiations over pay increases.
The midwives union refused to put the DHB's latest offer to members saying it was worse that two previous offers already rejected by members.
Jean Bell reports.