Midwives will stick with their planned strikes next week, despite some cautious optimism the DHBs will offer what they want.

Photo: RNZ / John Lake

DHB-employed midwives who are members of the union MERAS will strike from 9am to 9pm for one day next week, depending on the location.

The strikes will start at the northern and southern ends of the country on Monday and as the week goes on will get closer to the centre of the country, which the union calls a symbolic hikoi.

The union's co-leader Jill Ovens said the DHBs put a proposal to negotiators last week that addressed the key issues in the dispute.

But that proposal has not turned into a formal offer yet, so they were not willing to call off the strikes.

MERAS will recommend that members ratify the proposal if it does become a formal offer, which Ms Ovens is "cautiously optimistic" about.

The only possible exception for the strikes could be in Nelson due to damage and evacuations from the fires, she said.

Strike days for each DHB from 9am-9pm