Bille Akuhata and daughter Terēhia are getting on with life in Tolaga Bay as the first Tairāwhiti mum and baby of 2025.

Father Anthony Sidney, Akuhata’s partner, had proudly been telling everyone, Bille said when the Gisborne Herald visited mum and bub late last week.

“I haven’t even put up a post on Facebook or social media to say I’ve had a baby. I just put up pictures every now and then.”

Terēhia was born at 8.29am on New Year’s Day at Gisborne Hospital’s Puawai Aroha Maternity Unit. She was eight days premature.

“Everything was right during the pregnancy,” Bille said. “It was afterwards. There were a few complications, and I ended up in theatre.”

She was “slightly delirious with gas” and was told her placenta had been lost. In theatre, she lost 2.5 litres of blood.

Bille left hospital three days later, after signing a waiver because medical staff wanted her to stay longer and go back into theatre.

She refused.

“A woman’s body should be able to personally deliver and that is exactly what happened. My body naturally got rid of everything.”

The Ngāti Porou couple have two other children, although it is seven years since their last.

“When we got home, we felt like amateurs ... our boys are so old now,” Bille said. “But it’s been a few weeks [and] we’ve got the hang of it. It’s coming good. It’s been awesome. It’s a blessing.”

Akuhata said she and her partner had reasons for the name Terēhia.

“Anthony picked the name Terēhia after his cousin, who had passed away at a young age, and I chose it as her first name because contractions had begun and it felt like she wanted that name.

“It was the first name we felt movement with and it signalled the start of her labour.”

Noah, Isla top baby names in 2024

Noah and Isla were the most popular names for babies in New Zealand in 2024, according to the Department of Internal Affairs.

It was the second year running Noah has been the No 1 boys’ name, ending a streak of 10 years (2013-2022) when Oliver topped the table.

Other boys names to dominate since the year 1954 include Jack (2005-2009 and 2012); Joshua (1995-2004); Matthew (1990-1994); Daniel (1980, 1982, 1985, 1988); Michael (1968, 1973-1979, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1989); and David (1960-1967, 1969).

Isla returned to No 1 position for girls after being top in 2020 and 2022. Charlotte was No 1 in 2023, as it was in 2006, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018 and 2021. Olivia ruled the roost in 2012, 2015 and 2016; Sophie was No 1 from 2008 to 2010; and Emma was the favourite from 2003 to 2005.

Others at No 1 from 1954 included Susan (1955-1956, 1958-1963); Karen (1957, 1964, 1965, 1967); and Lisa (1968-1971).

While certain names have dominated for periods over the years, there has been a notable rise in names outside the more traditional.

In 1963, 1514 babies were named David. In 2024, there were 62 - putting David 64th on the top 100 headed by Noah (at 250).

In 1970, 1365 babies were named Jason. That name did not make the top 100 in 2024.

Likewise girls. Susan was the name of choice for 915 baby girls in 1958. It did not make the top 100, headed by Isla (190), in 2024.

The most popular Māori baby girl names for the Maori New Year (Matariki) period – which runs from July 10, 2023, to June 30, 2024 – was Aroha or Te Aroha (meaning love), followed by Amaia, Maia, Anahera, Moana, Manaia, Ataahua, Marama, Atarangi and Tui.

The No 1 Māori boy’s names were Ariki or Te Ariki (meaning ruler, chief), followed by Wiremu, Rāwiri, Mikaere, Nikau, Koa, Manaia, Manaaki, Kiwa, and Kaitoa.

Internal Affairs registered 59,199 births and 19,404 unique names in 2024.

NZ’s Top 10 Baby Names in 2024

Girls

1. Isla -190

2. Amelia - 183.

3. Charlotte - 173.

4. Lily - 158

5. Isabella 155

6. Olivia 154

7. Hazel 144

8. Harper 141

9. Mia 137

10. Mila 133

Boys

1. Noah 250

2. Oliver 228

3. Leo 202

4. George and Jack 198

6. Luca 192

7. Theodore 189

8. Elijah 159

9. Theo 158

10. Arthur