5 July 2012:

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) and Te Runanga o Aotearoa NZNO agree with Waipareira Trust statements today that Māori and iwi providers “get ‘second class’ treatment compared with non-Māori contractors”.

NZNO has been working with Māori and iwi providers to achieve funding equity within the sector since 2007.
Despite intense and continued lobbying, the presentation of an 11,000-signature petition to the Minister of Health in 2008 calling for the extra funding, a joint employer/NZNO oral submission to the Health Select Committee in April 2009 and its unanimous recommendation for a working party to examine the issue it was rejected by the Government.

NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says, “It is unacceptable that nurses and other health workers who work for Māori and iwi health providers are paid up to 25 percent less than their colleagues who work for DHBs. The Government talks about the importance of improving health outcomes for Māori and yet they are comfortable paying our nurses less and expecting them to do more.”

NZNO industrial adviser Chris Wilson agrees, “Most of the Māori and iwi health providers we work with are committed to achieving fair funding and fair pay. What we need now is a commitment from the funders that Māori and iwi providers will be funded at the same level as mainstream providers.”

“Nurses, kaimahi hauora and other health care workers deserve to be valued appropriately and equitably for the work they do. NZNO will continue to work closely with funders and providers to create a health system that is fair for all New Zealanders.”