The latest birth rate figures has given the College of Midwives ammunition to criticise the Government's health funding cuts.

Hospitals have been told to make $138 million in savings over this financial year and some have signalled they'll cut costs through staff vacancies which have not been filled.

Statistics New Zealand figures show there were 61,038 births last year, up seven per cent from the year before and the first increase in four years.

Midwives Chief executive Karen Guilliland said under staffing has put maternity services under pressure.

"When the birth rate was dropping this was something you could just about manage, but over the last year this would explain the stresses that are being put on the maternity hospitals.

"You can't cut staff and have an increasing birth rate and expect women and babies to get the best of care. So we would be concerned that the DHB needs to take notice of this."