The Counties Manukau District Health Board is looking at new technology that could be used to track newborn babies.
It said it was working with police on security issues at Middlemore Hospital, including other measures it would not be disclosing.
In the maternity unit, the board is looking at security tags involving alerts, alarms, and responses.
It said they were essentially proximity devices for mothers and babies, so if they were separated outside a specific zone, an alert would be sent and action taken.
The DHB said it was also looking at a more passive design for the Acute Mental Health Facility.
It noted that Middlemore Hospital was in an area with very high levels of crime.
