Media Release 

12 March 2018

Minister of Finance hints at pay boost

The Minister of Finance comment to media that nurses were in line for their pay to be addressed with a future “pay bump” will be great news to the nurse workforce.

Chief Executive Memo Musa says this comment said on the TVNZ Q and A programme is in line with the government commitment to put back the $2billion missing in the health spend over the last nine years.

“The finance minister signalling that increases in salaries for teachers and nurses is overdue is a welcome step towards addressing the ongoing issue of the undervaluation of nurses undervalued,” Memo Musa said. 

“NZNO members have campaigned for many years now for adequate health funding to ensure better care of New Zealanders in the health system, safe staffing levels and pay that better reflects the value they bring to the community. 

“The health spend freeze had a negative impact on the nursing workforce morale because of the strain of staff shortages and the subsequent inability for nurses to take time for professional development. In addition many remain unsatisfied with the care they can provide because of underfunding of the health service widely.

“We will be looking carefully at the government’s 2018 Budget for the road map towards redress of the decade of underinvestment in health and nurses’ salaries.

“We want to see more māori nurses attracted into nursing and every new graduate with a place on an NETP entry programme. We want our more senior experienced nurses to stay in nursing and for employers to accommodate their needs to keep them in the profession.

This suggestion of a future pay bump will likely be a morale boost for nurses as the government intends to better reflect the value of nurses,” he said.

ENDS
media enquiries to Media adviser: Karen Coltman 027 431 2617.