Eighty five percent of women in New Zealand experience an injury when giving birth. Some of these injuries are severe and share similar features to other physical injuries covered by ACC, so it is only fair that they are covered too. The extension of cover will benefit up to 18,000 more women per year, who will be able to receive cover for maternal birth injuries. Enhanced cover will improve the support available to birthing parents suffering these injuries—in particular, by providing more timely access to surgeries and pelvic physiotherapy. For those few severe cases where individuals are incapacitated for the longer term, the additional benefits of ACC cover include access to non – means tested weekly compensation, home help, and rehabilitation.