Nurses share pain, hope with firefighters as they turn out across the country
"Here come the nurses!" were the words of delighted firefighters as hundreds of nurses and kaiāwhina turned out to join about 2000 union members on strike around the country Friday.
‘That was a moral, emotional injury to the worker’ — tears and the truth at report launch
Aged care report launch: 'It's not a dumping ground for citizens, staff.'
‘Nursing is inherently political’ — Ebony Komene on her ‘uncomfortable’ work as a young Māori researcher
Young, Māori and a researcher -- together, yes, all of these things are unusual, agrees Ebony Komene.
News
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Nurses share pain, hope with firefighters as they turn out across the country
"Here come the nurses!" were the words of delighted firefighters as hundreds of nurses and kaiāwhina turned out to join about 2000 union members on strike around the country Friday. |
News
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‘That was a moral, emotional injury to the worker’ — tears and the truth at report launch
Everything we let happen to them now, will inevitably happen to us later. |
News
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Cops already outstripping nurses as pay equity crumbles, committee hears
It was nice while it lasted -- cops are already leaving nurses in the dust as pay equity collapses, the people's select committee has heard. |
News
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Our hidden shame — workers speak out on the shocking truth of caring for our elderly
Missing showers, being left alone to soil themselves and getting late, cold meals -- this is what kaumātua/residents in many aged-facilities endure today, say hundreds of nurses and kaiāwhina. |
News
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Hidden nursing crisis revealed: The shocking staffing numbers, and the Minister’s response
Hidden Te Whatu Ora figures have revealed acute mental health wards in crisis: those most desperately in need of help, face shifts desperately in need of nurses. |
News
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Official NZNO national committee for thousands of kaiāwhina launches
For the first time in its history, NZNO now has a national committee for kaiāwhina. |
News
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Corrections nurses, health-care assistants vote for October strike amid staff safety fears
Prison nurses and health-care assistants have voted to strike this month -- frustrated at Corrections' refusal to address safety concerns after months of bargaining. |
News
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‘It will be massive! ‘ Nurses, kaiāwhina vote to strike on October 23
Te Whatu Ora-Health New Zealand nurses and kaiāwhina have voted for further strike action on October 23. |
News
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Picketing nurses greet visiting Mental Health Minister at under-pressure rural hospital
Picketing nurses outside Thames Hospital greeted Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey on a flying visit to the under-pressure rural facility today. |
News
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South Island’s community approach sees boost in cervical screening for Māori and Pacific
Cervical screening rates for Otago and Southland's Māori and Pacific communities have increased 10 per cent compared to last year, after primary health organisation WellSouth joined forces with community health providers. |
News
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A few precious days leave, but she picketed instead: Nurses support striking doctors, dentists
Registered nurse Amy Tubman was on precious leave with her children during the school holidays, but she was still out on the picket line, flag in hand, supporting a strike: this time it was the doctors. |
News
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Mental health, Pacific, emergency nurses among those honoured in emotional NZNO awards
Tears, passion and nurses' deep commitment to their communities over decades -- all were on display at a powerful NZNO awards ceremony in Pōneke this week. |
News
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Health Minister Simeon Brown sees red, literally, as nurses turn their backs during NZNO AGM
Health Minister Simeon Brown was greeted with a wall of silence -- and a wall of nurses' backs -- as he spoke to the NZNO annual general meeting on Wednesday. |
News
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How many hundreds? Infometric report reveals shocking hospital shortages in every shift
The nation's hospitals were collectively short 576 nurses every shift on average last year, a new Infometrics report has found. |
Opinion
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Young, Māori and a researcher -- together, yes, all of these things are unusual, agrees Ebony Komene. |
Opinion
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‘It’s time for NZ to be a destination, not just a stepping stone’
A migrant nurse who departed for Australia, but then returned, outlines her plan to fix the 'leaky pipeline'. |
Opinion
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Mythbusting: NZNO expert tackles Te Whatu Ora’s safe staffing denials
Even after Te Whatu Ora was forced to reveal how dangerously understaffed New Zealand's hospitals are, its leaders seem to still be in denial, NZNO's safe staffing expert says. |
Opinion
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Harmed as a student — left without income support as a nurse
A West Coast nurse calls for ACC reform and fair compensation for 'non-earners' injured during medical care. |
Opinion
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Newly-elected student leaders bring mix of youth and maturity — and compassion galore
Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa -- NZNO's newly-elected student leaders share what drew them into nursing, and what they hope to achieve in their new roles. |
Opinion
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A dose of theatre action for NZNO’s strike volunteer wardens
These nurses missed out on the recent Te Whatu Ora-Health New Zealand strikes as they volunteered to oversee life-preserving services (LPS). But free tickets from a production company to the hottest show in Auckland right now, gave them all the drama and action they needed. |
Opinion
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‘I want to see every health-care worker valued and paid fairly’
A nurse and 'proud union member' explains why fair pay is so important. |
Opinion
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Peace is union business, says long-time Auckland nurse after marching in support of Palestine
A long-time Auckland nurse explains why she attended last weekend's march for humanity in support of Palestine -- and why peace is union business. |
Opinion
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A tale from across the ditch: Why I left, and why I want to come back
A former Auckland nurse and NZNO delegate now living in Australia says he is furious he had to leave. |
Features
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Innovative Māori aged care model set to bring aroha, manaakitanga to kaumātua
Aged care in Aotearoa New Zealand is in crisis. Reports of staff being underpaid and over worked are common as are the reports of elderly residents not getting the care they should. Kaitiaki is exploring what's happening in this space. We talk with a granddaughter who is on a mission to transform aged care for … Continue reading "Innovative Māori aged care model set to bring aroha, manaakitanga to kaumātua" |
Features
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Life, death, and never forgetting: Five lessons learned from 30 years as a kaiāwhina in aged care
Recognise their humanity, listen to their secrets, save their stories if you can - and never stop caring. |
Features
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Looking out for the next generation of firefighters — and nurses
He is a firefighter. His sister is a nurse. And they both share the same goal to make their professions better for the next generation. |
Features
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Rebecca Fenn: From London to driving a bus and nursing the ‘under-served’ in South Auckland
Rebecca Fenn is New Zealand's Nurse Practitioner of the Year whose inspiration to care for people came from her fascination with the "smell of hospitals" and "playing nurse dress up" as a child. |
Features
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OBITUARY: Louise Rummel — ‘I was standing on the shoulders of giants in the profession’
Nursing has lost a much-loved educator who was determined that nursing students and new graduates should get the mentoring they needed. Louise Rummel was admired by nursing students for her knowledge, caring and kindness. |
Features
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Kua whakawhiwhia Rebecca Fenn te tohu Mātanga Tapuhi o te Tau, nā tōna tamaititanga i waenganui i te "rongo ki ngā hōhipera" me "te tākaro hei nēhi" i whakaohooho i a ia kia atawhai i te iwi. |
Features
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Pirihira Puata — registered nurse prescriber who sends her scripts to the chemist in te reo Māori
Ka tuhia e te tapuhi tūtohu a Pirihira Puata (Muriwhenua) ngā tūtohu rongoā i te reo Māori, ā, ka tukua ki ngā toa rongoā i te tonga me te uru o Tāmaki Makaurau, ā, ka kīia e ia, ko aua tūtohu e tino arohaina ana. |
Research
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‘There is joy in nursing, and we want to find it’
Share your joy -- two nurse researchers want to hear about your uplifting experiences in nursing. |
Colleges & Sections
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Nursing research a ‘slow burner’ but crucial tool, say NZNO’s deep thinkers
Nursing research is not just pen-pushing -- it's deeply connected to everyday nursing, says chair of NZNO's nursing research section (NRS)- te wāhanga rangahau, Lorraine Ritchie. |
Letters
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Please send letters for publication to: [email protected]. We reserve the right to edit letters for sense and length, and will not publish letters that are libellous, incite racial, sexual or religious hatred or constitute personal attacks. Shorter letters (under 400 words) are preferred. Please include name, address, nursing qualifications and phone number. |
Letters
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Whitireia’s 2025 journal of nursing out now
The latest edition of the Whitireia Journal of Nursing, Health and Social Services will be released on October 30. |
Letters
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Three years ago, I began studying to become a registered nurse (RN) to create a better future for my children and myself. |
Letters
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A wonderful opportunity for advanced stomal therapy education
Stomal therapy nurses may have an opportunity to take an advanced education course in their specialty, that is usually only available via an expensive trip to Australia. |
Uncut – news briefs
| 16 Oct |
Nationwide breast screening age extension underwayThe first step of the nationwide breast screening age extension is underway, with women aged 70 and 74 now eligible for free screening, Health Minister Simeon Brown and Women’s Minister Nicola Grigg say. |
| 10 Oct |
Communities encouraged to take up weekend measles vaccination opportunities as thousands of doses delivered during responseWith nearly 7,000 vaccinations delivered since measles cases broke out in Northland and Queenstown two weeks ago, Health New Zealand is encouraging anyone not already vaccinated to make the most of weekend immunisation opportunities in their communities. |
| 10 Oct |
$103.5 million paid in Holidays Act remediation for Canterbury and West Coast staffToday Health NZ has processed approximately $96.5 million in Holidays Act remediation payments for 12,105 current employees in Canterbury and approximately $7m for 933 current employees in West Coast. |
| 9 Oct |
Strong interest in programme to train nurse practitionersMore than 340 nurses have expressed interest in the Government’s plan to support 120 registered nurses each year to complete advanced training and become nurse practitioners in primary care, with applications opening today, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. |
| 9 Oct |
Bowel screening expansion underway to save more livesFrom Monday, the starting age for free bowel screening will be lowered from 60 to 58 in Northland, Auckland, and the South Island, with the rest of the North Island to follow in March 2026, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. |
| 2 Oct |
Luxon’s cuts are making Kiwis sicker – it’s time to actLabour is calling on New Zealanders to join its open letter demanding Christopher Luxon fix the cost of seeing a doctor. |
| 29 Sept |
ICN mourns the death of Palestinian nursing leader and calls for urgent protection of health workers in Gaza and other conflict-affected areasThe International Council of Nurses (ICN) is deeply saddened by the death of Dr Mohammed Akram Al-Kafarneh, a leader of the Palestinian Nursing Association in Gaza. He is among hundreds of nurses and health workers who have tragically lost their lives during this conflict. |
| 19 Sept |
Govt wasted two years on Dunedin HospitalAfter two years of broken promises, cuts and stalling, the National Government is finally signing a contract to get Dunedin Hospital built, with the same contractor and same leadership as under the previous Labour government. |
| 19 Sept |
#NursesforPeace: Emergency programme to support nurses in Gaza and the West BankWith the support of Direct Relief, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and the Palestinian Nursing and Midwifery Association (PNMA) have launched an emergency programme to help provide support to nurses in Gaza and the West Bank, in response to the reports of famine and the high cost of food. This initiative provides direct financial support to over 1,200 nurses. |
| 12 Sept |
Report shows National underfunds health – Labour fixes it.A new report has confirmed what New Zealanders know: National cuts healthcare, Labour restores it. |
| 10 Sept |
Have your say on adult palliative care servicesHealth New Zealand is seeking feedback on a proposed model for adult palliative care services in New Zealand. |
| 9 Sept |
Health NZ disappointed at senior doctors’ decision to strikeWe are disappointed and concerned at the decision by Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS) members to take further strike action, said Dr Dale Bramley, Health New Zealand Chief Executive. |
| 5 Sept |
Health NZ agrees to participate in binding arbitrationHealth New Zealand has agreed to attend binding arbitration to resolve collective agreement negotiations with our senior doctors. |
| 29 August |
Gender pay gap remains largely unchangedThe NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi is saying there is still huge work to do to ensure pay equity for women following the release of new data by Stats NZ that shows the gender pay gap remains largely unchanged. |
| 28 August |
Whangārei Hospital parking expansion shifts into gearPatients and families visiting Whangārei Hospital are one step closer to easier access, as a procurement process begins for additional and upgraded carparks to support the hospital’s ongoing redevelopment, Acting Health Minister Matt Doocey says. |
| 22 August |
Graduate nurses’ start date deferred due to strike actionGiven the planned nationwide strike action, the decision has been made to delay the start date for over 300 graduate nurses who were due to begin work and initial training on Monday 1 September. |
| 22 August |
Southern’s Access and Choice programme celebrates five years of free mental health supportThis month marks five years since the launch of Access and Choice in the Southern region, a free mental health and wellbeing support programme delivered in general practices and known locally as Tōku Oranga. |
| 20 August |
Teachers strike important to ensure quality educationThe NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi is today supporting PPTA members across the country who are striking for fair pay increases, more subject specialist advisors, and greater teacher-led professional development funding. |
| 14 August |
Groundbreaking research amplifies disabled voices to prevent violence in marginalised communitiesA new Massey University study has found that disabled people, particularly Māori and those on low incomes, face disproportionately high rates of family and sexual violence, yet are often excluded from prevention strategies, policymaking and public messaging. |
| 11 August |
Health services worse under National“Kiwis’ access to healthcare is getting worse under National. In recent weeks we’ve seen a number of areas where getting treatment is harder or more expensive for New Zealanders,” Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. |
| 31 July |
Midwives settle collective agreementHealth New Zealand welcomes the decision by Midwifery Employee Representation & Advisory Services (MERAS) members to settle their collective employment agreement. |
| 24 July |
Health NZ focused on further bargaining with NZNOIn a statement attributed to Dr Dale Bramley, Health New Zealand Chief Executive, while contingency planning for the strike by New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) next week is ongoing, they are also focused on progressing talks with the union to avert the strike. |
| 24 July |
Review highlights under-staffing at Nelson HospitalA review of Nelson Hospital has confirmed concerns that staff shortages are increasing wait times and delaying people getting the care they need, the New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) says. |
| 21 July |
Workers to deliver 80,000 strong pay equity petitionWomen representing the more than 300,000 workers in female-dominated industries affected by the Government’s gutting of New Zealand’s pay equity system will deliver a 80,000 strong petition to opposition MPs at Parliament this Wednesday. |
| 21 July |
Mental health facility closes due to funding cutsNational’s funding cuts have forced the closure of mental health facility Segar House – cutting jobs and leaving those with complex needs without care they need. |
| 16 July |
Targets trouble leads to fake doctors’ appointmentsUnder National, hospitals are booking ghost appointments to make it look like their targets are being met. “Correspondence between clinicians shows fake appointments are being made for fake clinics at Nelson Hospital,” Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. |
| 16 July |
A gold for Southern fracture service
A local service that is supporting older people to overcome the social, mental and physical effects of fragility fractures resulting from falls, has been awarded an internationally recognised gold standard. |
| 15 July |
Childhood immunisation rates continue to climbNew figures released today show childhood immunisation rates at 24 months continue to rise, reflecting the Government’s strong commitment to improving health outcomes for Kiwi children, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. |
| 10 July |
NZNO welcomes Te Whatu Ora backdown on Wellington maternity servicesTe Whatu Ora's decision to pull the plug on a trial to take beds away from Wellington Hospital's maternity and gynaecology wards is the right decision, NZNO says. |
| 10 July |
Government must save Tōtara Hospice: NZNOThe Coalition Government must provide urgent funding to Totara Hospice to stop it having to cut its services by a quarter from next week, NZNO says. |
| 27 June |
New mental health centre to transform care in the Wellington regionHealth Minister Simeon Brown and Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey have today marked the beginning of construction on the new Sir Mark Dunajtschik Mental Health Centre in Lower Hutt. |
| 27 June |
New STI e-learning for midwives will increase detection, testing, treatment and preventionA new e-learning course was launched early June to equip midwives with up-to-date knowledge on effectively communicating relevant and tailored information about syphilis and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). |
| 25 June |
Changes for prescribing ADHD medicationsMinister for Mental Health Matt Doocey has welcomed prescribing changes that will enable GPs and nurse practitioners to diagnose and treat adults with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). |
| 23 June |
Minister should fess up on cutsSimeon Brown needs to be honest about how much more money he expects Health New Zealand to cut from its budget to get back in the black. “National has chosen to underfund our health system and expects Health New Zealand to make even more cuts - but won’t say how much,” Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. |
| 17 June |
Notice of NZNO 2025 Board Elections - Call for NominationsNominations are required to fill seven (7) positions on the NZNO Board. For details, see the notices section in the classifieds |
| 16 June |
Gender Gap Closes at Fastest Rate Since Pandemic – But Full Parity Still Over a Century AwayThe global gender gap has closed to 68.8%, led by economic and political advances – yet progress is still behind pre-pandemic pace, with full parity an estimated 123 years away. |
| 16 June |
Against a backdrop of escalating global health challenges, the ruling council of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) has issued a powerful call for urgent action to address the nursing workforce crisis.Against a backdrop of escalating global health challenges, the ruling council of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) has issued a powerful call for urgent action to address the nursing workforce crisis. |
| 13 June |
ICN charts a bold vision and calls for urgent investment in nursing to secure the future of careAgainst a backdrop of escalating global health challenges, the ruling council of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) has issued a powerful call for urgent action to address the nursing workforce crisis. |
| 12 June |
Unions take pay equity fight to the ILONew Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi Secretary Melissa Ansell-Bridges has taken the pay equity fight to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) conference in Geneva, Switzerland. The ILO is a United Nations agency whose mandate is to advance social and economic justice by setting international labour standards. |
| 5 June |
Refreshed strategy released to tackle gambling harmMinister for Mental Health Matt Doocey today announced that the Government has released the refreshed Strategy to Prevent and Minimise Gambling Harm. |
| 3 June |
ICN launches new topic brief underscoring vital role of nurses to protect the planet, human health and all life on EarthThe International Council of Nurses (ICN) has released a new topic brief titled “Nursing for Planetary Health and Wellbeing”, emphasizing the vital role nurses play in addressing the health impacts of our shared environmental crises. The brief highlights the emerging concept of planetary health and stresses the urgency to recognize and take action to reduce the impacts that human disruptions to Earth’s natural systems are having on the health of individuals and communities. |
| 13 May |
On International Nurses Day a new State of the World’s Nursing Report charts a path toward Universal Health CoverageAs the world’s nurses celebrate International Nurses Day (IND), ICN issues a rallying cry to governments around the globe for urgent nursing support, following the launch of the second World Health Organization (WHO) State of the World’s Nursing (SOWN) report. |
| 8 May |
NZ First’s gender definition bill will harm mental health, counsellors warnThe New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC) is deeply concerned by New Zealand First’s proposed Member’s Bill, which seeks to legally define “man” and “woman” solely based on biological sex. |
| 6 May |
Police and Health NZ continue to implement mental health response changesPhase Two of the Police Mental Health Response Change Programme is set to be extended with a second group of districts implementing Phase Two from 19 May. |
| 1 May |
New weekend urgent care service launched in TairāwhatiAccess to urgent healthcare on weekends will be restored in Tairāwhati this Saturday (3 May 2025) with the launch of a new service, Health Minister Simeon Brown has announced. |
| 29 Apr |
Taupō Hospital accredited to train next generation of rural doctorsTaupō Hospital has become the first hospital in the North Island to receive accreditation to deliver Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM) training, Health Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey have announced. |
| 14 Apr |
Rural Health Roadshow to hear from rural communitiesAssociate Health Minister with responsibility for Rural Health and Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey announced today he will be coming to 12 rural locations across the country on a Rural Health Roadshow, starting this week in Levin. |
| 10 Apr |
Expanded emergency department at Auckland City Hospital will see capacity increaseHealth Minister Simeon Brown has today officially opened Auckland City Hospital’s newly refurbished adult emergency department. |
| 1 Apr |
Health NZ wants your feedback on a Paediatric Adolescent and Young Adult Palliative Model of CareHealth New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora (Health NZ) is seeking feedback on potential options for national palliative care services for tamariki, rangatahi/children, young people and their whānau/families. |
| 27 March |
Bar still too high for small mental health providersSmall mental health providers will still be locked out of co-funding from the Mental Health Innovation Fund despite a lower threshold. |
| 25 March |
ICN advocates for health system gender equity and women’s healthThe International Council of Nurses (ICN) brought the nursing voice to the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) which wrapped up on Friday. ICN participated in critical discussions on gender equity and women’s health throughout the event. |
| 19 March |
ICN warns of healthcare crisis as USAID funding cuts devastate nursing initiatives in the world’s most vulnerable regionsThe International Council of Nurses (ICN) has documented alarming firsthand evidence of widespread disruption and collapse of essential health care services following the sudden withdrawal of USAID and other funding. |
| 19 March |
New High Dependency Unit will expand critical care services in WellingtonHealth Minister Simeon Brown has today officially opened Wellington Regional Hospital’s first High Dependency Unit (HDU). |
| 13 March |
Pharmac to fund more cancer medicinesPharmac is funding six more medicines for cancers and one for antibiotic resistant infections. |
