Nursing reports

New Zealand Nurses Organisation media release, 28 May 2024

Nurses have made themselves heard loud and clear in their responses to a survey on the impact of cuts to hospital-based health services.

Te Whatu Ora regions are being asked to collectively save $105 million by July using ‘cost containment’ methods including banning double shifts, pressure to take leave, non-replacement of sick staff and wiping unfilled roles. The Minister of Health has said that none of the cut saving methods will impact the level of care patients will receive.

However, nurses who work on the frontline beg to differ.

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) recently invited its Te Whatu Ora members to share their thoughts on how they thought the cuts to hospital-based health services would impact their health, safety and wellbeing at work. They were also asked how the cuts will impact on their ability to care for patients.

Nursing delegates from Auckland met with Andrew Slater, Chief People Officer, Te Whatu Ora on Friday to share their stories of the challenges they are facing and present him with a booklet containing feedback from the 925 nurses who responded to the survey.

NZNO Chief Executive Paul Goulter said respondents have made themselves heard loud and clear.

"Overwhelmingly, they said the cuts will impact negatively on what is already a very difficult working environment. Their key concern is that understaffing is already chronic and at crisis level, and that cuts to services will exacerbate that situation.

"As well as understaffing leading to burnout, nurses fear it poses real risks of harm to patients in their care. Responses were heartfelt and reflect the passion they have for their profession, but many are at breaking point and are considering leaving nursing or going overseas for better pay and conditions."

One registered nurse from Auckland said, "I believe these cuts will absolutely prevent us as nurses from providing quality care to our patients and their whanau. Tired and overworked nurses will be forced to give bare minimum, contributing to prolonged admissions, increased incidents and patient complaints. I believe this will also impact the mental wellbeing of charge nurses who will feel they won’t be able to care for their staff as well as they should."

Mr Goulter says we are still in a nursing crisis.

"Figures NZNO recently received under the Official Information Act are genuinely alarming. During the year ending 31 December 2023, more than a quarter of nursing shifts were below target staffing numbers, and some wards operated below safe staffing levels nearly all of the time.

"This has to change for the sake of our nurses and the patients in their care. We call upon the Government to address the staffing problem by funding proper patient care for our loved ones and whānau in Budget 2024."

Journalists can download the heath service cuts survey booklet presented to Andrew Slater here -

https://www.nzno.org.nz/Portals/0/Files/Documents/Groups/Health Sectors/DHB/HNZ/2024-05-24_Health_Service_Cuts_Survey_Booklet.pdf?ver=uJo4Jb30FROhAjmLaIo7aA%3d%3d

ENDS

For more information contact:

Karen Howarth | Media and Communications Advisor, New Zealand Nurses Organisation

Email: karen.howarth@nzno.org.nz, Mobile: +64 (0)27 725 2680

New Zealand Nurses Organisation media release, 16 May 2024

On 27 September 2023, during a televised pre-election leaders’ debate, Christopher Luxon said that regardless of whether nurses work in aged care, general practice or “the DHB equivalent system”, they should be paid the same. When asked if he would do that should he win the election, Mr Luxon said he would.[1]  

He won the election and he hasn’t.

The Coalition Government has refused to commit to adequately fund Primary/Community Health Care when the current Pay Equity claim in the sector is settled, despite Mr Luxon’s promise.

The New Zealand Nurses organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) says the harmful effects of this wage gap are being felt across the health system in Aotearoa New Zealand, and calls for increases to health budget funding so the problem can be properly fixed.

“Health budgets are now set every three years instead of yearly so the Government has one chance to get this right, pay what’s fair and just, and avoid consigning us to an impoverished, ineffectual health system for years to come,” said NZNO Chief Executive Paul Goulter.

Gisborne general practice nurse Ayla Evans says the worst part of the problem for general practices is in recruiting and retaining staff, especially those with valuable experience, because those staff could earn up to 20 percent more working in a hospital.

“This is a seriously big deal because we’re going to lose half our workforce to retirement in the next 10 years, so Pay Parity with Te Whatu Ora is not a want; it’s a need! I think it’s really important that Budget 2024 reflects that.”

Ayla says she and her colleagues feel undervalued and frustrated at being paid so much less despite having the same qualifications and experience as their Te Whatu Ora colleagues.

“Our employers do their best to pay us well, but to do that they’ve had to free up funds by reducing other services and shortening opening hours. We now close at 5pm instead of 8pm, which means a lot of the forestry workers and others who can’t get to us during the day miss out on proper care. It’s having a huge impact on our community.

“It’s like the Government doesn’t understand that Primary Care is there to prevent health problems from worsening, and to provide health education that can keep people well and out of hospitals and our overloaded emergency departments. Yet it seems all the money goes to Te Whatu Ora as the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff.

“And how many Primary Health Care jobs could we have saved if the money given to landlords and set aside for tax cuts went into funding Pay Parity for nurses?”

But it is not General Practice alone feeling the effects. Wellington Plunket nurse Hannah Cook says the Government's failure to honour its promise and pay Whanau Awhina Plunket staff in line with those at Te Whatu Ora is inappropriate and unfair. 

“Experienced Plunket nurses are feeling unappreciated for their mahi and are either leaving or taking on a second job to make ends meet. Plunket nurses are doing a fantastic job, but our goodwill and passion can only be relied upon for so long.

“The Government needs to honour its commitment to Pay Parity for all nurses, wherever they work." 

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Media enquiries: Rob Zorn, NZNO Media and Communications Advisor: 027 431 2617 | media@nzno.org.nz

New Zealand Nurses Organisation media release, 8 May 2024

Members of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation NZNO Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa will be holding public rallies at more than 20 locations tomorrow (Thursday 9 May), as part of NZNO’s national Day of Action 2024.

The nurses, midwives, health care assistants and kaimahi hauora will be calling on the Government to increase funding to Health in Budget 2024 to resolve the staffing crisis.

These actions follow information NZNO has received from Te Whatu Ora under the Official Information Act that revealed the extent of the staffing problem in Aotearoa New Zealand.

During the year ending 31 December 2023 more than a quarter of nursing shifts were below safe staffing targets, and some wards operated below safe staffing levels nearly all of the time.

NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku said nursing staffing is still in extreme crisis with nurses still leaving for Australia on a regular basis, or leaving the profession altogether because their own and their patients’ wellbeing continue to be put at risk.

“Budget 2024 will be released at the end of the month and must include increased funding for health if we are to solve the staffing problem and develop a local nursing workforce that can provide high quality care that meets the physical and cultural needs of all New Zealanders.”

The nurses, at the Day of Action will be picketing to highlight unsafe staffing levels and speaking with the public about culturally appropriate nurse-to-patient ratios as a way of addressing the nursing staffing crisis.

Nurse-to-patient ratios have been implemented in Australia, California, British Columbia, Ireland and Wales, with exceptional results for nurses, patients and health budgets, and NZNO members want them put in place here, enforced by legislation.

But Ms Nuku says nurse-to-patient ratios are about more than just numbers.

“Skills mix and cultural appropriateness are also important to the staff we have on hand to provide care and Aotearoa could be a world leader in developing a ratios system that also meets our obligations under te Tiriti.”

At the rally nurses will be speaking about their expectations for the Budget. Student nurses will also be speaking about the need for better financial and cultural support, including being paid during their full-time clinical placements.

More than a third of nursing students don’t complete their studies and Ms Nuku says this most often results from financial hardship and a lack of cultural support for Māori and Pacific students.

“Our hope is that the Coalition Government will listen to the voices of our country’s nurses and bravely acknowledge the continuing health system crisis with a Budget that realistically addresses our alarming rates of nurse understaffing.”

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Media enquiries: Rob Zorn, NZNO Media and Communications Advisor: 027 431 2617 | media@nzno.org.nz

More information – NZNO Day of Action rally times and locations

Join us at the 9 May NZNO Day of Action 

We're planning actions in the following locations on Thursday 9 May. Check back here for more details as they are confirmed.

• Whangārei, 1.30-4pm outside Theatre at Whangārei Hospital
• Kawakawa, 1-2.30 at the Paihia/Whangārei roundabout
• Auckland, 2-4pm on Park Road outside Auckland City Hospital
• Auckland 2-4pm outside North Shore Hospital
• Auckland 1.30-4pm outside Waitakere Hospital
• Auckland 2-4pm outside Middlemore Hospital
• Auckland 2.30-3.30pm on the corner of Ranfurly Rd and Manukau Rd, Epsom
• Auckland, 2-4pm outside Elmwood Village, 131 Hill Road Manurewa
• Hamilton, 1-2pm at the corner of Ohaupo Road and Lorne Street
• Tauranga, 1-2pm at Cameron Road outside Tauranga Hospital
• Hastings, 1-2.30pm at Stortford Lodge corner
• New Plymouth, 2-4pm on Tukapo St, Westown opposite CAMHs car park. Southern side of Taranaki Base hospital.
• Whanganui, 11.30-1pm outside the Hospital Main Gate
• Palmerston North, 11.30-12.30 on Ruahine St outside the main entrance
• Masterton, 11.30-1pm, outside Wairarapa Hospital
• Wellington, 11.30-1pm outside Wellington Hospital
• Porirua, 11.30-1pm at Hartham Place North (Pedestrian area) at Cobham Court (lots of parking there)   
• Nelson, 2.30-4.30pm at Sundial Square, Richmond 
• Christchurch, 12.30-1.45pm at Christchurch Hospital by the boat sheds bridge
• Christchurch, 2.30-3.30pm outside Bupa Parklands, Papanui Rd
• Dunedin, 2-4pm at Dunedin Hospital main entrance AND 9am-6pm at Meridian Mall
• Invercargill, 9-11am on Elles Road adjacent to Kew Hospital AND 2.30-4.30pm at the Elles Road and Tay Street intersections 

New Zealand Nurses Organisation media release, 8 May 2024

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation NZNO Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa has received information under the Official Information Act revealing the alarming nurse staffing crisis in New Zealand hospitals.

During the year ending 31 December 2023 more than a quarter of nursing shifts were below target staffing numbers, and some wards operated below safe staffing levels nearly all of the time.

NZNO Chief Executive Paul Goulter said the nursing staffing crisis remains a daily reality, with nurses continuing to leave because of burnout and concerns about pay and their health and safety at work.

“We have an impoverished health system that continues to be eroded by the Coalition Government’s spending restraints and frontline service cuts.

“Te Whatu Ora staffing data from 2023 reveals just how dire the situation has become and it’s no surprise nurses are leaving faster than they can be replaced.”

Mr Goulter said that of particular concern was ‘shifts below target’ at wards for the treatment of children, cancer (oncology), surgical needs, women’s health and mental health. Shifts below target indicate a heightened level of risk for patient safety, patient outcomes and nursing workforce safety. Patient mortality increases with exposure to increased numbers of shifts below target.

“More than half of the country’s children’s wards are understaffed at least 20 percent of the time. The Neonatal Intensive Care ward at Waipapa Christchurch Hospital (865 shifts below target) was understaffed for nearly 80 percent of all shifts last year.

“Five out of eight adult inpatient oncology wards were understaffed 20 percent of the time or more, with the most understaffed being Waikato Hospital Ward M05 (638 shifts below target). This fell below the rate of understaffing of Starship Hospital’s children’s cancer Ward 27B, which reported 791 shifts below target or nearly three quarters of all shifts in 2023.

“Fifty-six percent of surgical wards are understaffed 20 percent of the time or more, with the most understaffed being Waikato Hospital’s M08 Neurosurgery Ward (735 shifts below target)

“Almost half of women’s health wards are understaffed 20 percent of the time or more, with the most understaffed with Middlemore Hospital accounting for five of the six highest shifts below target reports.”

But mental health wards report the most acute levels of understaffing. Three wards reported more than 1000 shifts below target, with the Mason Clinic’s Tane Whakapiripiri ward in Waitematā being understaffed 99.45 percent of the time. This means only six shifts were safely staffed there in 2023. 

Mr Goulter said this is what failure to properly fund health looks like on the front line and that the data shows we simply cannot afford any further service or funding cuts.

“Budget 2024 will be released at the end of the month and may be the Coalition Government’s last chance to show they care about health and to address the staffing problem by funding proper patient care for our loved ones and whānau into the future.”

On Thursday 9 May nurses across Aotearoa New Zealand will be holding public rallies at more than 20 locations across the country where they will picket and speak about safe staffing issues and solutions such as legally mandated nurse-to-patient ratios.

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Media enquiries: Rob Zorn, NZNO Media and Communications Advisor: 027 431 2617 | media@nzno.org.nz

More information – Te Whatu Ora shifts below target 2023

Through a recent OIA request, NZNO received shift below target data from Te Whatu Ora from 540 public health wards over the reporting period 1 January 2022 – 31 December 2023. This report includes detailed analysis of trends and insights into the scale and extent of understaffing in public hospitals reported through the CCDM programme.

The full OIA response from Te Whatu Ora is available to journalists on request.

Shifts below target

Shifts below target indicate a heightened level of risk for patient safety, patient outcomes and nursing workforce safety and morale. Shifts below target mean there is inadequate staffing in either the numbers of staff on the floor or the skill mix and competencies of staff available to provide patient care. This can increase the incidence of adverse events or near misses such as falls or medication errors, care rationing where care is missed, delayed or sub-optimally delivered or in some cases work left undone due to lack of time, resource, or communication. Patient mortality increases with exposure to increased number of shifts below target.

Official information request

Te Whatu Ora’s response to our official information request reveals that widespread and sustained understaffing remains at crisis levels across Aotearoa New Zealand. Here are some salient points from the data provided in answer to our OIA request; mostly from 1 January – 31 December 2023.

• On average more than one in four (26 percent) Te Whatu Ora hospital shifts (n=158,966) were understaffed in 2023.
• The three Auckland districts (Auckland, Counties and Waitematā) accounted for just over one third (34.5 percent) of all understaffed shifts reported last year, reporting a combined 54,834 shifts below target in 2023.
• This single district reporting the highest number of shifts below target in 2023 was Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley, reporting 22,163 shifts below target.
• Of the 540 Te Whatu Ora hospital wards where shifts below target data was provided, 297 reported shifts below target for at least 20 percent of all shifts in 2023.
• There were 168 wards that reported shifts below target of at least 33 percent of the time in 2023. Seventy-eight wards reported shifts below target rates greater than 50 percent of the time.
• Twenty Te Whatu Ora hospital wards reported shifts below target for more than two thirds of all shifts.
• The four wards reporting the highest levels of understaffing are in the mental health sector, all reporting more shifts below target for more than 90 percent of shifts in 2023 in Waitematā and Capital, Coast and Hutt Valley districts.
• Mental health related wards comprise 7 of the 20 most understaffed wards in 2023.
• More than half (55.5 percent) of the 63 children’s wards for which data was provided reported shifts below target more than 20 percent of the time. Fifteen children’s wards reported shifts below target more than 50 percent of the time.
• The most understaffed children’s ward in 2023 was the Neonatal Intensive Care ward at Waipapa Christchurch Hospital, reporting 865 shifts below target.
• Five of the eight adult inpatient oncology wards reported shifts below target more than 20 percent of the time.
• The most understaffed oncology ward was Waikato Hospital ward M05 Haematology Oncology, reporting 638 shifts below target in 2023, more than half of all shifts.
• Fifty-six percent of surgical wards reported shifts below target more than 20 percent of the time.
• The most understaffed surgical ward in 2023 was Waikato Hospital’s M08 Neurosurgery ward, reporting 735 shifts below target. This is a 53 percent increase in reported shifts below target from 2022.
• Thirty-seven (nearly half) of the 79 women’s health wards reported shifts below target more than 20 percent of the time. Of these 24 reported shifts below target more than a third of the time.
• Middlemore Hospital accounts for five of the top six highest shifts below target reports in women’s health wards in 2023.
• All five of the women’s health and maternity wards at Middlemore Hospital were understaffed at a rate more than 50 percent of the time.
• Fifty-two (57 percent, n=91) of mental health wards reported shifts below target more than 20 percent of the time.
• Mental health wards report the most acute levels of understaffing in the health system.
• Three wards reported over 1000 shifts below target in 2023. The Mason Clinic’s Tane Whakapiripiri ward in Waitematā was understaffed for 99.45 percent of all shifts in 2023, and the Te Aka ward was understaffed for 97.72 percent of all shifts. 

New Zealand Nurses Organisation media release, 2 May 2024

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation NZNO Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) say the Government’s proposal, announced today, to disestablish the Pay Equity Taskforce within Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission is extremely regrettable.

NZNO Chief Executive Paul Goulter says women being paid less than men, even though they do work of equal value, remains widespread across the country.

“To disband the expert group of people tasked with supporting pay equity for women before this work is complete in New Zealand is unwise and speaks again of the Government’s misdirected priorities.

“The demise of the taskforce will come with a huge loss in terms of the knowledge and skills required to ensure women do not remain the victims of sex-based wage discrimination. These skills were of huge benefit to both employers and the unions representing their employees in sorting pay equity issues.”

Paul Goulter says the Government appears to be divesting its pay equity responsibilities under the Equal Pay Act to public sector agencies, making them responsible for meeting pay equity obligations from here on.

“And it’s really ominous that the Government has still not committed to closing the massive pay equity gap around the non-state (funded) sector – for example the huge difference between what nurses are paid in our hospitals as opposed to our general practices, community health and support services, Māori and iwi health providers, Plunket and so on.

“These forms of Primary Care are hugely important for preventing ill health and reducing the burden on our public hospitals and emergency departments. But they are under serious threat because the pay gap makes it hard for them to attract or retain staff. You and I and our loved ones pay the price for that.”

He says there is time for the Government to reverse this decision.

“Instead of dismantling the mechanisms we need to achieve pay equity, we’d like to see the Government actually honouring its pre-election promise to pay all nurses equally, by strongly committing to establishing pay equity across the funded sector (Primary/Community Health).”

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Media enquiries: Rob Zorn, NZNO Media and Communications Advisor: 027 431 2617 | media@nzno.org.nz

New Zealand Nurses Organisation media release, 8 March 2024

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) says it’s great the Government has announced five new health targets, but wonders how they will be met without a full nursing workforce that is locally grown and culturally safe.

NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku said we are not going to achieve reduced wait times and better treatment while our hospitals and emergency departments remain clogged and our Primary Health Care centres are closing.

“Every day we read news reports of GP practices shutting up shop or reducing services while they lose both doctors and nurses. Nurses are increasingly looking at moving overseas, because they feel disillusioned with a health system that remains underfunded, understaffed and fundamentally unsafe.”

Ms Nuku said we need a robust workforce that can provide the high-quality care Dr Reti envisions for all the people of New Zealand.

“For those most in need in Aotearoa that must include a culturally safe workforce, so people receive care that is appropriate for them and helps them engage with services.

“Unfortunately we’re not seeing any real action around this and it would be great if the Government’s ‘vigorous new direction in health’ included more vigour in attracting New Zealanders to take up nursing studies, especially Māori and Pacific people.

“We need Pay Equity across all of nursing so people are guaranteed a good job when they graduate, and we need students to be supported financially and culturally while they study so they make it to the end and graduate.”

She said that if the Government doesn’t do these things with vigour, the challenges it has set itself will go unmet.

“We must commit to growing our own workforce, and NZNO wants to be part of that workforce strategy.

“Then maybe these targets could be achieved via high quality health care for our diverse population delivered through services that are culturally safe and closer to the communities that need them.”

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Media inquiries: Rob Zorn, NZNO Media and Communications Advisor: 027 431 2617 | media@nzno.org.nz.

New Zealand Nurses Organisation media release, 16 February 2024

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) has released a report on its 2023 Student Survey showing that nursing students face significant barriers to completing their studies, particularly around finances, stress and cultural support – and it’s costing us nearly a third of our new nurses.

The survey was completed by 1406 NZNO student members, and NZNO National Student Unit Co-chair Shannyn Bristowe said the results were really clear.

“At a time of health system crisis, when we desperately need more homegrown nurses, the Government and nursing schools really need to pay attention to what they can do to encourage students to stay in their studies and come out well and ready to nurse.

“Nearly a third (30 percent) of students do not complete their studies and fixing these issues would significantly increase the number of nursing graduates each year.”

Many respondents said they felt moderately or excessively stressed; and they believed students should be given financial help during clinical placements which sees them working full time without pay for up to nine weeks – and often out of town.

Ms Bristowe said paying students the minimum or living wage while on placements would make a massive difference to graduate numbers.

“Nursing students need assistance while they study. Help with paying off student loans after graduation, as the Government proposes, is appreciated but it really misses the point and comes too late to make a difference.”

A second major barrier emerging from the results is institutional racism and a lack of cultural support for Māori and Pacific students.

NZNO National Student Unit Co-chair Stacey Wharewera said Māori and Pacific students are essential and that better cultural support in nurse training would result in a health system that better meets the needs of Māori and Pacific peoples.

“The lack of appropriate cultural support in nursing studies is an issue the Government and training providers need to urgently address.”

The survey is conducted every two years to identify issues student nurses are facing in their studies and to understand how they could be better supported.

The survey report is available on the NZNO website.

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Media enquiries: Rob Zorn, NZNO Media and Communications Advisor: 027 431 2617 | media@nzno.org.nz

New Zealand Nurses Organisation media release 15 February 2024

New Zealand Nurses Organisation Toputanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) members employed by Te Whatu Ora are furious after almost eight years of delay in their employer’s failure to fix $1.95b worth of unpaid holiday pay and other leave they are owed.

Every Te Whatu Ora district failed to meet the requirements of the Holidays Act, but to differing degrees, so while some members will receive very little, others will be getting payouts of tens of thousands of dollars, dating back to 2010.

NZNO Chief Executive Paul Goulter said NZNO’s Te Whatu Ora members have been dangled promise after promise about when the payments will be made, only to have their hopes dashed by one delay and excuse after another, year after year.

“Last year Te Whatu Ora said dates for payment by the various Te Whatu Ora regions would be confirmed in January which was revised yet again. We were then promised definitive payout dates would be provided on 9 February this year, but heard nothing on the day.  

“At a meeting with Te Whatu Ora yesterday (14 February) we were informed that final dates would be provided in the next fortnight, but not for all regions.

“They’ve had eight years to put this right while monetary amounts devalue and while our members struggle with the cost of living as much as anybody else. No wonder our hospital nurses feel devalued and want to go work overseas.”

He said NZNO would be lodging a complaint with Minister of Health Hon Dr Shane Reti.

“Justice delayed is justice denied, and this is at a time when we face unprecedented safe staffing issues because we can’t find enough nurses. How can Te Whatu Ora think this is even remotely acceptable.

“Unfortunately the people of Aotearoa New Zealand suffer because of this as nursing staff leave the profession in New Zealandand and our communities are faced with the consequences.”

More information

The Labour Inspectorate of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment identified in 2016 that there were issues with DHB (now Te Whatu Ora) payroll systems and its compliance with the Holidays Act. These meant that some employees weren’t receiving anywhere near their correct leave entitlements.

The NZ Council of Trade Unions wrote to the DHBs in May 2016 proposing a process to review DHBs’ compliance with the Holidays Act and to take a national approach to resolving issues of non-compliance. The then DHBs, now Te Whatu Ora regions, continue to work through the process at varying rates, but at a rate that NZNO considers unjust and harmful to the wellbeing of the people of Aotearoa New Zealand.

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Media inquiries: Rob Zorn, NZNO Media and Communications Advisor: 027 431 2617.

New Zealand Nurses Organisation media release, 27 December 2023

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) bi-annual National Nursing Student Survey closed late in 2023.

Further details and commentary will be released in 2024 once analysis is complete. However, a preliminary analysis reveals student nurses face a number of significant barriers to completing their studies that must be removed if we are to attract and retain students and grow our own nursing workforce.

The 2023 survey was completed by more than 1400 student NZNO members up from 685 in 2021 and Co-chair of the NZNO National Student Unit Shannyn Bristowe said issues of hardship are particularly intense for Māori tauira (students) who typically enter nursing at a later stage in life, often having families and increased responsibilities.

“There is a particularly important need for appropriate cultural support and pastoral care which was cited as integral to students feeling safe and understood in both their study and clinical placements.

“Māori and Pasifika tauira often face unique practical and cultural barriers, including travel, whānau obligations and language difficulties. 

“But these nurses are essential to the people of Aotearoa New Zealand receiving the culturally appropriate care that will improve health outcomes for Māori and Pasifika and save health system resources. We need to find ways to support Māori and Pasifika students in particular.”

She said the survey is one way nursing students can express their concerns and let the Government know what changes it could make to attract and retain more of them.

“We’re hoping the New Government will listen and adjust the way it plans to support nursing students.”

“Fewer students would drop out if they received financial assistance while they completed their courses. Helping pay off graduates’ student loans is a nice gesture from Government, but it doesn’t address the real hardship they face while they study,” Ms Bristowe said.

“Many just can’t carry on because of financial pressure added to other stresses.

“We face an alarming nursing crisis long into the future. If we’re serious about addressing that crisis, why can’t we find a way to give nurses free training as we do with many other essential trades and professions? Most students would have no problem with some form of bonding in return.”

Another predominant theme was how hardship impacts on physical and mental wellbeing. The cost of clinical placements during training (petrol, parking, travel and accommodation were identified as a particular pressure point and 84 percent of respondents said students should receive some form of financial compensation during clinical experience.  

“Supporting nursing students financially now, instead of helping pay off their loans after they’ve graduated, could see us producing up to a third more students and if the Government really has the wellbeing of the health system to heart it needs to reduce every single barrier it can. This is vital for the future wellbeing of us all.”

Interestingly, 33 percent of respondents had been impacted by extreme weather events, with flooding, road closures, and the cancelling of clinical placement days cited.

However, Ms Bristowe said the most significant concern from the survey was that more than 30 percent of respondents said the barriers made them question whether nursing was right for them.

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Media inquiries: Rob Zorn, NZNO Media and Communications Advisor: 027 431 2617 | media@nzno.org.nz.

New Zealand Nurses Organisation media release, 24 November 2023

The collective agreement ratified in August by members of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) who work for Te Whatu Ora will expire in less than a year and the union says these members have unfinished business with their employer.

NZNO Chief Executive Paul Goulter said NZNO Te Whatu Ora members are committed to continuing pressure for the nursing workforce to be valued, specifically around such issues as nurse-to-patient ratios, safe staffing levels, health and safety at work and meaningful pay and pay rises.

“Our Te Whatu Ora members will be attending around 40 paid union meetings (originally known as ‘stop works’) from 27 November to 1 December. The purpose of the meetings is to put the new Government and Te Whatu Ora on notice that they must increase funding to the health sector and fix the nursing shortage.”

The new Government is planning to release a mini-Budget in December that will shape public spending for the next three years, and Paul Goulter says Health needs to top the list of Government spending priorities in that mini-Budget.

“NZNO needs to be part of that conversation to help ensure everything is being done to secure 4000+ extra nurses and health care workers. Ultimately our patients will pay the price for hospitals that are continuously understaffed and under-resourced.”

Paul Goulter says the meetings will also mark the start of the campaign around the 2024 collective agreement and members will discuss how they will continue the fight for safe staffing in 2024.

“Te Whatu and the new Government must meet our demands in order to ensure the wellbeing of our staff, patients and health system.

“Te Whatu Ora has an obligation to provide a safe and properly staffed workplace and we intend to hold them to that obligation.”

He said that according to the Employment Relations Act, arrangements will be made with Te Whatu Ora to have enough staff on hand to keep health workplaces functioning during meeting times.

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Note to journalists:

• A copy of the meetings schedule is attached to this release.
• Journalists will not be able to attend meetings but may wish to interview NZNO members before or after meetings that have been arranged off-site. Members will be carrying placards and, in some cases, arriving at meetings by bus.
• Local member spokespeople are available for many of the regions where meetings are being held.

Media enquiries: Rob Zorn, NZNO Media and Communications Advisor: 027 431 2617 | media@nzno.org.nz