Statement attributable to Mark Shepherd Regional Deputy Chief Executive Northern

Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is reassuring the public that plans are in place to ensure the continued delivery of hospital services tomorrow despite the nurses strike.

Nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants who are members of the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) are striking tomorrow (Tuesday 3 December) from 11am – 7pm.

Our hospitals and emergency departments will remain open during the strike action and health professionals will still be available to ensure the continued availability of health services for those who need them.

To maintain patient safety, some clinics will be closed. However, if you have a hospital appointment tomorrow, please come to your appointment unless we have contacted you directly to reschedule.

Any appointments that are deferred due to the strike action will be rescheduled for the next available opportunity.

Health NZ values the enormous contribution of our nursing workforce and thanks them for their critical work, but we are disappointed that strike action is being taken so early in the bargaining process.

We are committed to reaching a settlement with NZNO. Any settlement needs to reflect the ongoing reset of Health NZ as we work to get back to budget and complete the restructuring underway.

Since 2016 nurse salaries have outperformed the broader labour market outcomes, as shown through comparison against the Labour Cost Index. For registered nurses the middle salary step has risen by 28% since 2016 with an additional 23% from the recent pay equity settlement on top of that.

We believe bargaining is the most effective way to resolve the outstanding issues and avoid any further disruption to patients and the wider health system.