29 Neglected Plunket feeling the strain NZ Doctor, 28 July 2028 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
28 'Coalition promise on Plunkett nurses has not been met' Newstalk, 28 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
28 Plunket funding: Nurses union accuses coalition of ‘broken promise’ NZ Herald, 28 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
28 Heart attack patient waited over four hours after triage error in crowded Wellington ED The Post, 27 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
27 Patient fell trying to kill cockroaches at Auckland Hospital, fleas hit wards RNZ, ODT, TVNZ, 1 News, New Zealand Herald, ODT opinion, 27 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
27 Saving Money vs Saving Patients Nick's Kōrero, 25 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
27 Politics Health ‘It’s a song and a prayer’: The hidden cost of 1300 empty nursing jobs The Post/The Press, 25 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
27 'We need a second hospital in Christchurch' 1News (Transcript), 24 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
27 Te Whatu Ora is not hiring enough nursing graduates, pushing them towards Australia RNZ News Bulletins (Transcript), 24 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
27 Hundreds of nursing graduates left high and dry by Te Whatu Ora NZ Doctor/NZNO, 24 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
27 Waitakere nurses strike against understaffing (Transcript) One News Breakfast, TVNZ, 24 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
24 Nurses’ group: Health needs more than band-aids - The Rangitoto Observer, 24 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
24 Whangārei Hospital nurses say sick leave requirement adding to stress - Northern Advocate, 24 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
24 Frustrations and concerns grow over IT failures in hospitals – Morning Report [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
23 Patient suffers spinal fracture amid Waitākere Hospital staffing shortages – NZ Herald [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
23 Christchurch ‘needs a second hospital’ as 470 people pour into emergency department on one day – The Press [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
23 Clinics cancelled as Waikato hospitals hit by major IT outage – Waikato Times/The Press/The Post, 22 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
22 Health NZ says staffing improving after nurses warn of worsening workload – The Press, 22 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
15 Calls Grow for Independent Inquiry After Waikato ED Death Raises Fresh Questions Over Hospital Staffing - Waatea News, 15 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
14 Cultural safety in healthcare is not ‘ideological’ – it is saving lives - NZ Doctor, 14 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
13 ‘It’s relentless’: What it’s like to be an ED nurse in New Zealand right now - The Spinoff, 13 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
13 Mental health staff say police refused to help with violent patient - RNZ, 13 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
11 Nursing union calls for staffing transparency on night of ED death - The Post/The Press, 11 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
9 Waikato ED death reinforces why squeezed nurses need more than annual gaming - NZ Herald, 9 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
9 'Acute unexpected incident': Review released into Waikato ED death - Newstalk ZB, 9 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
9 Homeless and hospitalised: The deadly impact of sleeping rough - RNZ/NZ Herald, 9 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
9 Hospitalisations among homeless people double in six years - Morning Report, 9 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
7 Hawke’s Bay Hospital ED under pressure despite winter plan, up to 60 people waiting at a time - Hawkes Bay Today, 7 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
7 Empty lot consented for car park near Christchurch Hospital idle as 2000 staff wait - The Press, 7 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
6 Health system struggles with seasonal surge in illness - Morning Report, 6 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
6 More temporary beds added to hospitals around NZ to meet winter demand - RNZ, 6 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
4 Nightmare waiting to happen’: Police pullback puts pressure on Whanganui Hospital ED staff - Whanganui Chronicle, 4 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
4 Waikato Hospital death another sign health system needs more resourcing – Editorial - NZ Herald, 4 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
4 Waikato's ‘delayed’ ED ward site confirmed - Waikato Times, 4 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
3 MBIE chief executive to submit to cross examination on pay equity changes - Waikato Times/The Press/The Post, 3 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
3 Will it or won’t it? Hospital ED ward build debate hits Parliament - Stuff, 3 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
3 Minister told Stuff a month ago that new Waikato Hospital beds were on track. Now he says they’re not - Stuff, 3 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
2 Under-fire Wakari staff hit back at claims - Otago Daily Times, 2 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
2 Health budget shortfall: Unions warn of up to $600m funding gap - Newsroom, 2 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
2 Waikato Hospital emergency department witness says staff ‘set up to fail’ on night man died - NZ Herald, 2 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
2 Is our health system falling apart? - The Spinoff, 2 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
1 Witnesses describe chaos as man collapses at Waikato Hospital emergency department - NZ Herald, 1 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
1 Why ED wait times are so long - and how that ramps up the risk of death - Stuff, 1 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
1 Nurses call for independent inquiry after patient's death at Waikato Hospital - Newstalk ZB, 1 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
1 Waikato Hospital death: Nurses’ union demands independent inquiry - NZ Herald, 1 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
1 Rapid review after Waikato Hospital ED death to be done by end of the week - RNZ, 1 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
1 ED death: Mum and daughter describe scenes of 'absolute chaos' - One news, 1 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
1 Waikato Hospital ED death: Mum and daughter describe chaos as staff tried to resuscitate man - RNZ, 1 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
1 ‘No pulse, no pulse’: The frantic moments as staff failed to revive patient found in ED toilet - Stuff, 1 July 2026 [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
15 June 2026 Dr Richard Sullivan: Health NZ Chief Clinical Officer on the investigation into Waikato Hospital death Newstalk ZB, 30 June 2026 ‘Haphazard' response for chronic gastro patients The Post, 30 June 2026 'Do we need gumboots and hard hats?': Nurses sound alarm over... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO in the media
13 Our leaders speak: President Anne Daniels – Fighting on – Ake, Ake, Ake Health care is arguably the most pressing concern of the public as we grow closer to the election on 7 November 2026. But we need to fight on to achieve our goals and aspirations. On the back of our Annual General Meeting (AGM) and conference in the last week of September, and the... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: President
14 President Anne Daniels – Vote for Health: Healthy housing for all Housing is a critical social determinant of health. It is also a political football reflected in a government system that is set up to fail the homeless and those who are experiencing severe housing deprivation. Healthy housing for all can be achieved however, if there is a cross... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: President
17 Our leaders speak: President Anne Daniels – Integrity – the foundation of trust Integrity is more than being honest, it’s about speaking and acting in a way that is consistent with your values. This is particularly important when you are in a position of leadership. Integrity is the foundation of trust in relationships, it builds credibility and is... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: President
20 President Anne Daniels – There's nothing to see here? A little over two weeks ago, amendments to the Health and Safety in Work Act (2015) were passed and will be enacted in April 2027. This bill was passed despite unions, health and safety professionals, employer groups and even ACC themselves, warning the... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: President
22 President Anne Daniels – Long term game: The political determinants of health. On 7 November 2026, New Zealand will once again decide on our next government. That means every one of us who are enrolled to vote must take the opportunity to decide on our future (Enrol or update online | Vote NZ). During every election we hear promises from political parties. Now is the... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: President
25 President Anne Daniels – Ordinary people doing the extraordinary The close ratification of hard-fought Te Whatu Ora negotiations, is naturally a time of reflection and analysis. Will the acceptance of this offer stem the tide of nurses leaving our shores to work in Australia for better pay, nurse to patient... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: President
28 President Anne Daniels – Assumptions As a nurse, I have learnt over the years never to assume that the information given to me is correct. To keep my patient safe, I always need to verify that the information I have received, or information in front of me, is correct. We all know the old saying about assumptions – assumptions... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: President
30 President Anne Daniels – True grit Reading the Sunday Star Times (22.3.2026) caused me to observe the devolution of much of what is meaningful to our collective society. The health and wellbeing of our nation is, indeed, under continuous attack through deliberate dismantling of legislation, infrastructure, policy and procedure... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: President
2 President Anne Daniels - Advocacy and action beyond false economies The Treasury last week told the Government there was room to borrow more for essential infrastructure such as health and education. The fact is that Aotearoa/New Zealand GDP to debt ratio is the lowest in comparative countries. In response, Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour stated there was... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: President
4 President Anne Daniels – Everything is political when turmoil abounds. Values matter The year has just begun. Nationally and internationally, we see, hear and experience turmoil everywhere. How do our hearts not break for those families who have lost loved ones in the recent rains, floods and slips that have changed the lives of many in an instant? It could have been any one of... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: President
16 President Anne Daniels – What’s next? Burning nurses at the stake? Throughout history, women who are healers, have been silenced. From the time of burning of wise women who helped and healed at the stake, to this very day, where the Coalition Government is being very deliberate in its choices of whose voices will be heard and privileged on the new Health... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: President
25 President Anne Daniels – Lies or misinformation by design Anne Daniels, President NZNO Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa Recent times have been so challenging for our members that they will be remembered as the worst of times. We have a Government that is doing everything it can to oppress and create fear and uncertainty among workers, the... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: President
21 Cost-of-living hospital strike as inflation figures released Workers at Tauranga's Grace Private Hospital will strike over the cost of living tomorrow (Thursday 22 October) as new inflation figures are released. The first strike in the hospital's 40-year history will see Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO nurses and support staff walk... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
20 Child cancer treatment delays heartbreaking and infuriating: Child and Youth nurses Delays in cancer treatment appointments at Starship Children's Hospital due to nursing shortages are heartbreaking and infuriating, says the NZNO College of Child and Youth Nurses. The College* of Child and Youth Nurses (CCYN) today expressed its deep concern about the... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
20 Recognition of need to fix primary care crisis good for patients Recognition of the need to fix the crisis in primary health care is good for patients but stops short of a much-needed overhaul of the sector, NZNO says. The Labour Party today announced it would help take the pressure off overcrowded emergency departments (EDs) by hiring more nurses, making... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
18 All parties must commit to nurse-to-patient ratios for patient safety All political parties must urgently commit to legally enforceable and culturally safe nurse-to-patient ratios for the sake of patient safety, NZNO says. Labour leader Chris Hipkins today said Labour was open to introducing mandates for minimum staffing levels. Tōpūtanga Tapuhi... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
16 Te Whatu Ora must fully staff vital Starship Children's Hospital wards Te Whatu Ora must fully staff all wards at Starship Children's Hospital including four vital wards which are short of a total of 18 full-time nurses, NZNO says. Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says the Shift Below Target data, obtained under the Official... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
16 Paid placements policy will help boost nursing workforce A policy to pay nursing students a weekly allowance while they're on clinical placements will help them graduate and boost Aotearoa New Zealand's homegrown nursing workforce, NZNO says. Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO President Anne Daniels says a Green Party policy... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
15 Starship oncology ward short staffed 85% of all shifts in August Te Whatu Ora data obtained by NZNO shows the oncology ward at Starship Children’s Hospital was short of nurses on 85% of all shifts in August, NZNO says. Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says the Shift Below Target data, obtained under the Official... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
14 Order to train fewer nurses counter-intuitive The Government’s sudden cap on nursing students is a failure of workforce planning and shows there’s no credible plan to build a sustainable homegrown nursing workforce, Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO says. NZNO Primary Health Care College chair Tracey Morgan says at a... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
4 Labour's pay rise a first step, but pay equity needs a full settlement Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO has welcomed Labour's promised pay rise for care and support workers as a first step. It says care and support workers now need a full settlement of their pay equity claim and a workable pay equity system for all of its members. Labour today... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
1 All parties urged to commit to pay equity Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO has applauded the Green Party's commitment to restore pay equity and fund a settlement for care and support workers and has urged all other political parties to do the same. The Green Party today announced it would immediately restore the pay... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
25 380 more health care workers at the end of winter too little too late An announcement of 380 additional nurses, midwives and health care assistants for hospitals around the country at the end of winter is too little too late, NZNO says. Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says chief nurse Nadine Gray’s comments this morning... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
23 Hundreds of international nurses to attend conference in Wellington Around 1200 senior nurses from around the world will attend an International Nursing Council conference in Wellington after the New Zealand Nursing Organisation won hosting rights. Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says the International Nursing Council... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
23 Auckland University research finds nurse shortages increase post-surgery deaths and complications New research by Auckland University has found addressing nurse shortages in post-operative care may save 182 lives a year because short-staffed wards have higher rates of potentially preventable deaths and complications after their surgeries. The newly published research analysed... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
20 Exasperated Muriwai Ward nurses strike again over unsafe staffing Nurses and health care assistants working on the Muriwai Ward at Waitākere Hospital will strike for the second time this year after last ditch efforts to resolve unsafe staffing concerns with Te Whatu Ora collapsed, NZNO says. The 60 members of Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
20 Whanganui Hospital ED averaged 680% capacity over a week Working in an overcrowded emergency department (ED), up to 680% capacity over a week, makes staff feel overwhelmed with the pressure, Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO says. For Whanganui Hospital ED delegate and nurse Kathryn Fleming and her colleagues, the pressure of having to... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
17 2300 more hospital nurses? Yeah, nah Nicola Willis Claims by National deputy leader Nicola Willis that 2300 more hospital nurses will be hired by the end of this year have been revealed by Te Whatu Ora as more smoke and mirrors on nursing numbers from the Government, NZNO says. Nicola Willis told RNZ yesterday that 2300 nurses are being... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
15 Tauranga ED staff at wits end declare state of emergency NZNO members working at Tauranga Hospital’s emergency department (ED) are frustrated at facing a daily deluge of patients without the staff they need - forcing them to declare a state of emergency. In a letter sent to Te Whatu Ora chief executive Dr Dale Bramley on Tuesday, signed by... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
8 Overworked, understaffed Gisborne ED staff strike Health and safety concerns arising from unsafe staffing levels have forced nurses at Gisborne Hospital’s emergency department (ED) to go on strike. Around 34 Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO members will down tools for an hour from 2.30pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday (9... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
4 Government must adopt Wai 2713 recommendations on disability system The Coalition Government must urgently adopt new recommendations from the Waitangi Tribunal which has found significant parts of the disability system prejudice tāngata whaikaha Māori (Māori with disabilities), NZNO says. The Tribunal yesterday released Hauwhaikaha - the Disability System... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
31 Employing graduate nurses will help keep them in nursing and the country A new proposal that will require Te Whatu Ora to offer all eligible graduate nurses jobs in the public health system will help keep them in nursing and in Aotearoa New Zealand, NZNO says. Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO national... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
27 Northland nurse and academic wins prestigious Māori leadership award Northland nurse and academic Dr Pipi Barton has been awarded the 2026 Te Akenehi Hei Memorial Award celebrating nurse leadership. This prestigious title is awarded only every two years. It is the highest honour that can be given by Te Rūnanga o Aotearoa representing Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
26 Health Minister’s claim Winter Plan ‘managing well’ delusional Health Minister Simeon Brown’s claim that hospitals are ‘managing well’ because of the Government’s Winter Plan is delusional, NZNO says. Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says the Minister’s comments yesterday beggar... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
25 Hospital data shows nursing shortages continue to put patients at risk Te Whatu Ora data released today shows patients are continuing to be put at risk by the Coalition Government’s deliberate failure to safely staff hospital wards, NZNO says. The NZ Herald today released data (available on request) on the 2025 staffing of 663 wards nationwide. It... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
24 Fed-up North Shore ED staff declare state of emergency NZNO members working in the emergency department (ED) at North Shore Hospital have declared a state of emergency due to unsafe staffing levels resulting in ongoing overcrowding. In a letter sent to Te Whatu Ora chief executive Dr Dale Bramley last Wednesday (attached), signed by dozens of the... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
18 What happened to the winter health plan? The $25 million 2026 Winter Plan launched by Health Minister Simeon Brown in March to erase pressure on the health system has been an unmitigated disaster, Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO says. The Minister’s winter plan promised 378 FTEs, 71 extra winter hospital beds across... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
17 Attack on Nursing Council’s cultural safety work condemned The Government’s gutting of the Nursing Council has been condemned by the largest gathering of Māori nurses, kaimahi, kaiāwhina and tauira (students) in Aotearoa New Zealand, saying cultural safety should never be used to attack Māori. Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO Te... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
13 Chief Executive’s resignation follows Minister’s gutting of Nursing Council The Nursing Council chief executive is latest in a string of resignations after its board was gutted by Health Minister Simeon Brown, NZNO says. Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says Nursing Council staff were told today that Catherine Byrne has resigned her... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
13 Huraina Te Matarau - Indigenous Nurses Aotearoa Conference seeks to unmask the many faces and protective layers and challenge racism in the workforce Nurses and tauira from around the Aotearoa will descend on Auckland this week for the annual Te Rūnanga o Aotearoa hui-ā-tau and Indigenous Nurses Aotearoa Conference. Te Rūnanga o Aotearoa NZNO's annual Indigenous Nurses Aotearoa Conference takes place at Te Mahurehure Marae in Tāmaki... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
12 Nursing Council audit pause puts patient safety at risk A decision by the New Zealand Nursing Council to pause part of its recertification process will put patients at risk, NZNO says. Every year the Nursing Council audits five percent of practising nurses to provide assurance that nurses are meeting continuing competence... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
28 Neglected Plunket feeling the strain Mums and their newborn babies are missing out because Plunket services are running on shoestring budgets with skeleton staffing, and their health needs are unable to be met, Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO says. NZNO national delegate and Plunket nurse Kelly Morrissey says due to... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
27 Te Whatu Ora must reassure Wellington patients after triage error Te Whatu Ora must reassure Wellingtonians it is adopting recommendations made by the Health and Disability Commissioner after a damning report was released today, NZNO says. The report followed a complaint to the Commissioner by a 55-year-old man who went to Wellington Regional Hospital in... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
24 Hundreds of nursing graduates left high and dry by Te Whatu Ora At a time when health care is falling into a deeper crisis with emergency departments bursting at the seams, wards overflowing and workers overworked due to chronic understaffing, Aotearoa’s largest employer of nurses plans to hire less than two-thirds of the nursing graduate cohort over... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
9 Te Whatu Ora must disclose staffing levels at time of tragic death Te Whatu Ora must disclose whether the Waikato emergency department (ED) was short-staffed at the time a man tragically died in the waiting room, NZNO says. A summary of an urgent clinical review was released by Te Whatu Ora this afternoon. The rapid review was ordered after reports the man,... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
1 Independent inquiry into death at Waikato ED needed Te Whatu Ora’s inability to answer basic questions about staffing levels shows an independent inquiry into the tragic death of a patient in the Waikato emergency department must be held, NZNO says. Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO chief executive Paul Goulter says NZNO’s... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
19 Minister guts Nursing Council board with no focus on patient safety Minister of Health Simeon Brown has gutted the Nursing Council in a ministerial overreach which fails to focus on patient safety and gets ahead of his own deregulation process, NZNO says. The Nursing Council board consists of up to 14 members and is a mixture of Ministerial appointees and... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
17 Funding "boost" continues dangerous under-funding of aged care The Health Minister’s funding "boost" for aged residential care continues underfunding to the sector and will continue unsafe practices and short staffing, which is putting vulnerable residents at risk, NZNO says. Simeon Brown today announced a 4% increase of $79 million for... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
29 Plunket funding coalition promise forgotten in Budget 26 A coalition promise to "ensure Plunket is funded to do their job properly" was forgotten in Budget 26, NZNO says. Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO national delegate and Plunket nurse Hannah Cook says Budget 26 papers show the promise was an outstanding commitment between... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
28 Budget 26 robs Pita to pay Paul: NZNO Budget 26 fails to address unmet health needs or nursing workforce shortages and leaves Māori worse off, NZNO says. Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says Budget 26 is a "money go-round" which requires the health sector to do even more with even... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
21 Bupa nurses take pay equity claim over historic wage discrimination NZNO nurses working at Bupa aged residential care homes throughout Aotearoa New Zealand have raised a pay equity claim to address historic gender-based wage discrimination. Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO has more than 380 registered nurse members... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
15 NZNO members vote to accept Te Whatu Ora offer NZNO nurses, midwives and health care assistants working for Te Whatu Ora have voted to accept the latest Collective Agreement offer following a close secret ballot which closed this afternoon. More than 38,000 Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
14 Lakes and Whanganui nurses still waiting for Holiday Pay a decade on Nurses at Lakes and Whanganui districts are calling on Te Whatu Ora to explain why after a decade of redress, they still don’t know when they will receive their full Holiday Act remediation payments, NZNO says. While current Te Whatu Ora workers at all other 18 districts have received... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
11 Government’s decision to scrap fees free scheme will lead to further student exodus The Coalition Government’s decision to scrap the fees free policy for third year tertiary students has left nursing tauira outraged Finance Minister Nicola Willis confirmed at the weekend the Government will scrap the fees free tertiary scheme to third-year students in the upcoming... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
11 Culture of fear at understaffed, dilapidated Hillmorton Hospital A new survey of 186 nurses and care staff at Christchurch’s Hillmorton Hospital has revealed a disturbing picture of overworked staff too scared to speak out about the state of the facility, NZNO says. Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO delegate and Hillmorton nurse Sarah Jane... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
6 A year after Pay Equity gutted, hardworking nurses even worse off A year after the Coalition Government brutally scrapped their Pay Equity claims, the rising cost of living and the fuel crisis is compounding the financial struggle for undervalued and hardworking nurses and their whānau, NZNO says. Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO last September... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
29 Heartbreaking tragedies were avoidable - NZNO Analysis by a media outlet, published today, finding health care staff shortages were contributing factors in the deaths of 11 babies is a national and avoidable tragedy, NZNO says. The analysis by Stuff into the deaths which date back to 2016 also found staffing issues were identified in a... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
23 NZNO members to consider new offer from Te Whatu Ora Nurses, midwives and health care assistants who are members of NZNO have received a proposed terms of settlement offer from Te Whatu Ora. Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO Chief Executive Paul Goulter says the offer was the first received since June 2025. "It will now be up to... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
23 Summerset Avonhead & Cavendish staff picket over proposed cuts Staff at Summerset Avonford and Summerset Cavendish in Chrischurch will picket outside their respective aged residential care homes over fewer staff being rostered on the weekends. About 30 union members of Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO and E tū will walk off the job... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
22 Government’s attack on Māori health raised at the UN Concerns over the Coalition Government’s active reversal of policies designed to improve Māori health outcomes were raised at the United Nations in New York this morning. Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku told the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
10 Chronic health care assistant short staffing harming vulnerable patients Te Whatu Ora’s attempt to cut costs by requiring health care assistants to carry out cohort patient watches is harming vulnerable patients and staff, NZNO says. Patient watches involve trained and experienced health care... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
30 Te Whatu Ora must come clean over new uniforms Te Whatu Ora must explain why its rolling out new uniforms for nurses and health care assistants nationwide at a time when patients are struggling to get the care they need because of short-staffing and under-resourcing, NZNO says. In an internal email seen by NZNO, Te Whatu Ora has told... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: NZNO News
28 Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku – What does democracy look like? Last week’s Parliamentary urgency debates, coming at the 11th hour of this Government’s term, remind us just how fragile our democracy can be. Three bills relating to Te Tiriti o Waitangi were progressed through Parliament under urgency. The proposed changes include removing some... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: Kaiwhakahaere
31 Our leaders speak: Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku – Is health care a ‘boiling frog’? I want to start by acknowledging nurses, health workers, and everyone holding the system together across the motu. This winter has been rough. We expect winter to put pressure on services, but this one has felt relentless. Influenza has moved through whānau, communities, and the workforce... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: Kaiwhakahaere
4 Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku – Stop speaking for nurses The world of politics now moves with a furious and unsettled pace, as though the very ground beneath power has begun to tremble. Voices clash, loyalties waver, and uncertainty gathers like a storm over the halls where decisions are made. We are only weeks out from what should be the... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: Kaiwhakahaere
13 Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku – HPCAA Bill attacks workforce independence The Coalition Government has shown repeatedly it’s no defender of workers’ rights and its latest proposed changes are a blatant attack on the regulation of our traditionally independent workforce. Introduced to Parliament in May, the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: Kaiwhakahaere
8 Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku – Nursing: Holding onto our humanity in times of change It was not uncommon for a nurse to come from generations of nurses. In many whānau there was a nurse, Kaiāwhina, community nurse, Karitane nurse, hospital... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: Kaiwhakahaere
11 Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku – Women’s rights, pay equity, and nursing’s political power A year after pay equity was stripped from women, we are seeing – again – how this country relies on women’s unpaid and underpaid labour: caring, birthing, leading communities, and holding people together. When women demand fair pay for work society cannot function without, we... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: Kaiwhakahaere
13 Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku – Urgent need for paid placements Recently, I've followed media coverage from Poihaere Whare, highlighting the significant challenges faced by student nurses in New Zealand. The ongoing fuel crisis and added practical demands like travel and parking costs intensify existing student poverty. Poihaere's core message,... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: Kaiwhakahaere
16 Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku – Our government doesn’t want us to be involved in the world – but it’s coming for us The knock-on effects of the latest wars started by the United States is a reminder that when they act Aotearoa is not immune. Just last night, the Government met to urgently consider the return of carless days and fuel rationing. Flights have been reduced to some of our most vulnerable... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: Kaiwhakahaere
2 Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku – We know what to do and how to do it! My whakapapa recognises Maungaharuru, the mountain renowned for its distinctive roaring sounds—a legacy of the diverse avian populations that once inhabited the area. Maungaharuru holds spiritual significance for the hapū Ngāti Kurumōkihi, who serve as its kaitiaki (guardians). Aotearoa... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: Kaiwhakahaere
20 Our leaders speak: Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku – More security in ED: Tread with caution When I hear of pushes to up security in hospital emergency departments, I must admit there’s a part of me that is hesitant. Of course, I want all health care workers to be safe on duty including ED nurses. But I also know many Māori already feel discriminated in ED and other hospital... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: Kaiwhakahaere
11 Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku – Policy and nursing leaders are hurting our next generation of nurses Kerri Nuku, Kaiwhakahaere NZNO Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa The unrelenting challenges from this coalition Government has been overwhelming. From the Regulatory Standards Bill, wider deregulation programme, repeal of the Smokefree Act, Treaty Principles Bill, assault on pay equity,... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: Kaiwhakahaere
14 Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku – Kia ora maia! Be brave and courageous when you need to be Kerri Nuku, Kaiwhakahaere NZNO Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa Earlier this week, we heard about the cost of not exercising bravery or courage when it is most needed. The British nurse, Lucy Letby, convicted of murdering seven babies over two years was shocking news to hear. But... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: Kaiwhakahaere
16 Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku – A bit of wāhine Māori inspiration as we fight for all women Kerri Nuku, Kaiwhakahaere NZNO Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa This coalition Government punched women in the face when it recently cut and made it even more tricky to progress pay equity claims. I want to offer a wāhine Māori perspective, in the hope to keep us inspired and... [Read the rest of this article...] Posted in: Kaiwhakahaere