Rotorua newborn Addison Hawke's first day ever came with an extra cause to celebrate, thanks to her mother scoring a "cash bonus" from an initiative set up by 2degrees.

To mark 2degrees joining forces with Vocus New Zealand in June, the teleco company announced all babies born on June 1, 2022,will be eligible to receive a cash bonus from a $222,000 prize pool.

Shawna Hawke, Addison's mother from Rotorua, was one of many Kiwis across the country to receive $1,552.45 to set up her new daughter for a "fairer future."

The 31-year-old says she first heard of the competition from being told to enter by her extended family and friends.

'I was still in the hospital and had just had Addison, and I started getting all these messages from friends and family saying I had to enter this competition.

'Things like this don't usually come up, but I decided to enter and about two weeks after entering I found out we would get it.”

Shawna says her and her husband Brad are 'absolutely stoked”.

'We felt really lucky and grateful 2degrees has done this. Things like this don't usually happen to us!”

When sharing the news of her win with her family, she says they were 'very excited”.

Shawna and her husband have both set up a plan for what to do with the money, which will help with the costs of having a new baby.

'We are going to buy a car seat for Addison for when she grows out of her capsule, which is amazing because car seats are super expensive.

'We also really want to go away sometime as a family at some point, and to set some aside for Christmas.

'Anything is a huge help when you have a new baby. When you are not working, and your parental leave is not as high as your normal pay.

'I'm sure all the other people who have got this payment as well were helped hugely too. It's a really cool idea 2degrees had to help a lot of families out there. Having a baby is a stressful time and it is a whole new thing for most people.”

'I kind of know what I'm doing as Addison is my third baby, but it is still a lot to deal with.”

Shawna Hawke and her newest child Addison. Photo: Supplied/SunLive.

Shawna says her other daughters 'love having a new baby sister in the house,” and describes Addison as 'very relaxed”.

'The sleepless nights I'm not enjoying so much, but it is great to have a new member to the family.”

Across the country, 143 other families were given the same payment. According to 2degrees, there were '75 boys and 68 girls” who were born on June 1 who signed up for the cash bonus.

The most common names were Quinn, Amelia, Hugo and Willow, and the most babies were born in Auckland, Canterbury and Wellington.

Chief Executive of 2degrees Mark Callander says June 1 was a 'huge day” for the company.

'June 1 represented the next generation in our evolution, and what better way to share the excitement than to support the next generation of Kiwis. Our mission has always been to create a fairer future for all New Zealanders, and this was one way we could do that,” says Mark.

'It's awesome to hear some of these bonuses will be going towards investments for a baby's future, while others will be going towards purchasing a family vehicle, reuniting with family from overseas and those practical things, like new car seats. We're stoked to have supported two sets of twins – two is our lucky number!”

The big day was also surprising for another reason, as June 1 is one of the least common New Zealand birthdays, falling at 355^th on the list, just ahead of Christmas and New Year's Day.