A new campaign is calling on the Government to lighten the load for new mothers.

Health advocates, experts and mothers are launching the Mothers Matters Campaign at Parliament today, aimed at raising awareness about post-natal depression.

It's been sparked by New Zealand's soaring maternal suicide rate -- which is five times worse than the UK.

Children's advocate Dame Lesley Max told Tim Dower the first days of a baby's life are when mothers need the most support.

"The first 1000 days of a child's life are critically important to how that child develops.

"It is very, very important that we don't allow women who struggle to struggle alone."

She says post-natal depression is far too common in New Zealand, particularly when compared to other countries.

"We have a maternal suicide rate five times higher than the UK. Around 15 percent of mothers suffer from post-natal depression." 

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