The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) has continued strike action this week in response to concerns over understaffing and budget cuts, placing significant strain on the health system.
Health New Zealand reports that more than 13,000 procedures and appointments are being disrupted. Around 2,251 surgeries and treatments, including hip, knee, and cataract operations, are being cancelled or postponed. A further 3,600 first specialist assessments and nearly 8,000 follow-up appointments are also affected.
The impact is extending beyond the strike period itself, as appointments scheduled before and after the action are rescheduled, adding further pressure to already long waitlists.
Officials note that the strike is worsening delays for patients who have already been waiting months for treatment. The disruption is contributing to greater uncertainty for individuals requiring urgent care and adds to the overall backlog across the health system.
The government says it has invested significantly in the nursing workforce, noting that the average salary for a registered nurse now exceeds NZ$125,000 annually, including overtime and allowances. Since 2011, nurses’ pay has increased by nearly 74 per cent, compared to wage growth of 35 per cent across the wider economy. Additional entitlements include extra pay for nights, weekends, and on-call work, professional development payments of up to NZ$6,000 in some roles, and five weeks of annual leave after five years.
Health Minister Simeon Brown has criticised the NZNO for not releasing strike ballot results, describing the action as politically motivated. Health New Zealand states that it remains ready to negotiate. Under its current offer, a new graduate nurse earning NZ$75,773 would see a total pay rise of NZ$8,337 by June 2026.
