NZNO’s Ōtautahi/Canterbury members will join local leaders and politicians to talk about the dire state of their local hospitals and the public health system at a hui on Thursday.

New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) will be supported by their Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS) and E tū colleagues at the event to raise public awareness and place further pressure on the Government to increase funding for health.

Included among the evening's speakers is long-serving and long-suffering enrolled nurse Debbie Handisides who says the Government needs to immediately plug the sinking ship that is health care.

"I’m concerned for patient safety, and their health outcomes due to the shortage of doctors, general practitioners, nurses, physios, occupational therapists, pharmacists, midwives and surgeons.

"Our patients are getting delayed health care with longer wait times to see GPs so they report to hospitals more unwell."

Like virtually every part of the country, Ōtautahi is struggling with under-resourcing and understaffing, and our communities are all feeling the impact, she says.

"Every sector of the health system is crumbling around health workers’ ears. The Government is not providing adequate funding for safe staffing, and they are disguising their frontline hiring freeze.

"Every day, health workers are burning themselves out while compensating for the Government’s refusal to fund a safe and effective health system.

"Patients are at serious risk of harm and are even dying on waiting lists. This is not good enough and we demand action."

Other speakers include Patient Voice Aotearoa's Malcolm Mulholland, Councillor and mayoral candidate Sara Templeton, an ASMS spokesperson, Spinal Trust National Programme manager Andrew Hall, and a nursing student representative.

Interview and photo opportunities available

WHEN: Thursday, 15 May 2025

TIME: 5.30pm-7pm

WHERE: Aldersgate Centre, 309 Durham Street North, Christchurch

Community members are welcome.