Statement attributable to Robyn Shearer, Acting Chief Executive Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand is concerned about the prospect of further strike action by nurses and the impact this would have on patients waiting for planned care and specialist appointments.

We are disappointed at the vote by New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) members to take strike action when there is a reasonable offer from Health NZ still sitting on the table.

The offer would see a new graduate nurse on $75,773 gain a total pay increase of $8337 (or 11%) by the end of June 2026 once step progression is included. A registered nurse on the highest step with a base salary of $106,739 would see their pay increase by $3224 to $109,963 by the end of June 2026.

The average salary for both senior and registered nurses, including overtime, PDRP allowance, and penal rates, is $125,662.

It is estimated that 4,300 planned procedures and specialist appointments would have to be postponed should the 24-hour strike action on 30 & 31 July go ahead.

Strike action would cause further disruption and delay to patients waiting for treatment and set back our work to provide New Zealanders with faster access to care.

We acknowledge the hard work of our nurses, but the reality is that Health NZ is operating within tight financial constraints.

Since 2011 the top salary step of a registered nurse covered by the NZNO collective agreement increased significantly, raising by 73.95%, outpacing the broader labour market outcomes, as shown through comparison against the Labour Cost Index which increased by 35.53% over the same period.

For registered nurses, the top salary step rose by $45,377 between 2011 and 2024. This increase includes a $16,444 pay equity settlement.

The landscape for our nursing workforce has changed significantly in recent years. Turnover has decreased markedly from 14% in December 2022 to 8.6% in December 2024.

We believe further bargaining is the best way forward to resolve outstanding issues and avoid the disruption to patients of costly strike action.

Should the strike action go ahead our hospitals and emergency departments will remain open and health professionals will still be available to ensure the continued availability of health services for those who need them.

To maintain patient safety, some clinics will be closed and planned care appointments will be postponed. All patients impacted by the strike will be contacted directly by hospital staff.

Any appointments that are deferred due to the strike action will be rescheduled for the next available opportunity.

Our advice for all patients should the strike go ahead is:

  • all emergency departments will remain open and hospital patients will receive safe care
  • unless you are contacted directly, please attend any scheduled outpatient appointment or treatment
  • people with non-urgent ailments or injuries should contact their GP in the first instance. Anyone unsure about whether they need emergency department care should contact their GP or call Healthline 0800 611 116 for free advice.