Health NZ change process update

Statement from Margie Apa, Chief Executive of Health New Zealand

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is committed to continuing to talk with staff and unions as it progresses change processes.

These changes are required to ensure we live within our budget and can devolve resources and decision making closer to local communities.

Some figures and information put in the public arena this week have been wrong.  We will continue to share the correct facts as we go and put information right.

Consultation documents have been released for the National Public Health, Hauora Māori and Digital Services, and Pacific Health will release its document today.

These documents are the culmination of significant pre-work with staff and unions.

Our priority has consistently been to ensure we approach change collaboratively and with transparency.

This happened with the voluntary redundancy process and will continue through the change processes currently underway.

There have been pre-engagement sessions with unions and staff, designed to share information on the current challenges and budget savings required as well as finding innovative solutions. The ideas from these sessions were considered as proposals were developed for consultation.

It is important to remember consultation documents are proposals.  We are now asking for feedback from staff and unions, which will be carefully considered before final decisions are made.

To provide clarity on the proposals, this table gives an overview.

Supporting our people through change is a priority. Resources are available for those directly impacted by any proposed removal of roles.

We appreciate the ongoing commitment of all our staff as we move toward a more sustainable future for New Zealand healthcare.