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...

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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...

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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,...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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,...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO apologises sincerely and unreservedly for the involvement of nurses in historic abuses in state care. The apology was made in a video by NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku and published today on the organisation’s website. It has already been shared...

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The ACT Party should leave nursing to the professionals and medical evidence, NZNO says. Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says ACT MP Todd Stephenson has dismissed the Nursing Council’s draft code of conduct - which proposes strengthening cultural...

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The Government’s announcement today of 378 extra staff to help hospitals cope with winter demand is a drop in the ocean of what patients need, NZNO says.  Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO Chief Executive...

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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...

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The Health Minister must explain why after years of concerns from nurses about Christchurch Hospital’s barely functioning dialysis unit, he only stepped in late yesterday when life-saving treatment had to be rationed, NZNO says. Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa New Zealand Nurses...

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Nurses, midwives and health care assistants throughout Aotearoa New Zealand will wear purple on Friday to show their support for Pay Equity - and urge all New Zealanders to join them. The Go Purple day is in recognition of International Women’s Day on Sunday. The NZNO members will be...

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The right of health care workers to provide care during international conflicts must be protected, Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO says. NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says hospitals and health care workers are increasingly being targeted in war torn nations. "Hospitals and...

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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...

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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...

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Te Whatu Ora needs to go back to the drawing board and prioritise worker safety after reversing plans to charge hospital workers market rates for car parks, NZNO says.  Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO delegate and Christchurch health care assistant Al...

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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...

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Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO has expressed disgust at the shooting and killing of nurse Alex Pretti on a Minneapolis, US street on Saturday morning by federal officers. Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says the organisation is increasingly concerned at the callous and aggressive attacks...

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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...

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A  recent NZNO survey of emergency department nurses working over the Christmas/New Year period has revealed the vast majority were subjected to abuse over the festive season. NZNO College of Emergency Nurses spokesperson Natasha Hemopo says 84% of survey respondents reported...

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The passing of Dame Karen Poutasi has seen Aotearoa lose one of its foremost health leaders and a woman of high integrity, Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says. “Dame Karen was an extraordinary woman who led from the front. She was principled, devoted...

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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...

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About 80% of nurses working in primary health care have considered leaving their jobs in the past six months a survey by Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO has found.  NZNO recently conducted a survey of its members working in primary health care (see findings below). Of those,...

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Crest Hospital staff, who are members of NZNO, will strike tomorrow (Tuesday, 2 December) over the employer’s refusal to allow lower paid workers to join their collective. Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) delegate and nurse Susan Norma White...

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Te Whatu Ora’s hire numbers for this year’s nursing graduates are an improvement, but some new nurses could still be packing their bags for Australia, NZNO student representatives say. Te Whatu Ora today committed to employing 1800 of 2200 nursing graduates by 30 June 2026. Offers...

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Unions representing workers from essential health, education and public services have written to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to urge him to resolve impasses with their respective collective bargaining. The letter was sent by unions representing teachers, doctors, firefighters, nurses,...

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Most New Zealanders – 83% – believe patient safety is at risk because there are not enough nurses, new polling by Talbot Mills Research has found.  The polling commissioned by Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO and released today in full, also found 94% of New...

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The decision to ban new prescriptions for puberty blockers will hurt young people, the NZNO College of Child and Youth Nurses (CCYN) Tapuhitia Ngā Mokopuna Mō Apōpō says. Minister of Health Simeon Brown yesterday announced a halt to new prescription of GnRH analogues for young transgender...

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Two-thirds of New Zealanders believe the state of the New Zealand public health system is poor, a new poll by Talbot Mills Research has found. These findings are being released as more than 37,500 of NZNO’s Te Whatu Ora nurses, midwives, health care assistants and kaimahi hauora begin...

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