Safe staffing – Kaitiaki Nursing New Zealand

Vote for health: From Labour to ACT, how will (or won’t) our politicians ensure culturally-safe health care?

By Kaitiaki coeditors

October 29, 2026

Kaitiaki launches an eight-day crash course on how our politicians plan to fix a health system in crisis. We’ve posed eight questions to the main parties. Now we’re rolling out their responses – or lack thereof – before the Election.

Today we ask: To honour Te Tiriti, will you support kawa whakaruruhau as a requirement in nursing education and regulation?

Vote for health: From Labour to ACT, how will (or won’t) our politicians fix safe staffing?

By Kaitiaki coeditors

October 22, 2026

Today we ask: How will you create a safely-staffed public health system?

October 2026

Child cancer treatments ‘delayed not suspended’, claims minister amid damning new staffing revelations

By Mary Longmore

October 15, 2026

Minister of Health Simeon Brown is denying nurses’ reports that some child cancer treatments have been suspended for a week amid a staffing crisis at Starship Hospital’s oncology ward.

September 2026

‘You’re joking’ — exhausted ED nurses respond to HNZ promise

By Mary Longmore

September 29, 2026

Too little, too late and a political ploy. That was the reaction of emergency nurses to Te Whatu Ora-Health NZ (HNZ)’s announcement it would hire another 380 frontline staff over the next nine months.

September 2026

‘It’s been a long time coming’: Four generations stand shoulder-to-shoulder on Gisborne ED nurses’ strike

By Joel Maxwell and Mary Longmore

September 9, 2026

Four generations of health workers — three nurses and a medical receptionist — were among about 200 standing shoulder-to-shoulder on strike for safer staffing outside Gisborne Hospital today.

September 2026

‘We all deserve better’ — a nursing student shares her anguish

By Shimee Araguas

September 7, 2026

On behalf of every student nurse, patient and health-care worker, I ask for more support and better funding in our public health system. Because health-care workers deserve better. Patients deserve better. Student nurses deserve better. And the people of Aotearoa deserve better.

August 2026

‘Great crowd of Westies’ turn out to support Waitākere Hospital nurses

By Mary Longmore

August 17, 2026

Around 400 people turned out to a public meeting in Henderson recently to support local nurses and health staff from Waitākere Hospital.

August 2026

Government ‘fudging’ hiring figures as nurses face intense pressure

By Joel Maxwell and Mary Longmore

August 11, 2026

The hospital nursing workforce has grown by a measly 54 roles since the Coalition Government took power, it has been revealed — despite its claims of 2100 extra nurses.

August 2026

My first political forum after 16 years as a registered nurse – here’s what I learned

By Olivia Vodanovich

August 5, 2026

A high-profile election health forum in Auckland drew 1400 people and media attention for its political attendance (or lack of) — but for NZNO private hospital delegate Olivia Vodanovich it was a first-time eye opener.

August 2026

Understaffed, under pressure and now on strike — Muriwai ward walks out

By Mary Longmore and Joel Maxwell

July 24, 2026

Nurses and health-care assistants (HCAs) from Muriwai ward marched side-by-side out the main entrance of Waitākere Hospital on Friday — striking for safe staffing.

July 2026

Winter ‘onslaught’ — nurses ponder how they’ll deal with ED overloads

By Natasha Hemopo and Wendy Sundgren

July 1, 2026

As the winter wave hits emergency departments (EDs), NZNO emergency nurse leaders are hearing of widespread understaffing, dangerously long waits and inpatient gridlock.

July 2026

She knows where her son’s body lays — now she wants safety for workers like nurses

By Joel Maxwell and Mary Longmore

June 24, 2026

A multi-union event including NZNO on the steps of Parliament has ramped up pressure on NZ First leader Winston Peters to back up his pro-worker words with action.

June 2026

More HCAs but no more nurses — Waitākere Hospital staff to ‘wait and see’ after safety complaint

By Mary Longmore

May 25, 2026

Under-the-pump nurses and health-care assistants (HCAs) at Waitākere Hospital’s Muriwai stroke ward say they will “wait and see” if things improve in the next two weeks before deciding their next moves — which could include health & safety strike action.

May 2026

The mental health facility where the doors don’t lock properly: Hillmorton revealed

By Joel Maxwell and Mary Longmore

May 11, 2026

Nurses have been forced to work in squalid, unsafe and understaffed conditions at Christchurch’s Hillmorton Hospital, a new NZNO survey has revealed.

May 2026

‘Missed meds, delayed treatments, staff pushed beyond limits’: Nurses have a right to safety

By Tina Giles

April 28, 2026

When nurses hesitate to enter ward doors then something has gone wrong. On workers’ memorial day, enrolled nurse Tina Giles shares her thoughts on fighting for workplace safety.

March 2026

EXCLUSIVE: Mental health worker strangled by patient — Minister calls it ‘misinformation’

By Joel Maxwell

February 18, 2026

Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey has rubbished workers’ experiences of violence as “continuously disappointing” while defending an unpopular police policy affecting nurses.

February 2026

‘We should be free to worry about grades, not jobs’ — student nurse on hiring fears

By Hannah Watson

January 26, 2026

Nurses’ work is irreplaceable, says University of Auckland nursing student Hannah Watson — but why then are her cohort worrying about their future in the profession?

February 2026

Not-so merry Christmas: Bites, bruises, threats for ED nurses over holidays

By Joel Maxwell

January 14, 2026

Emergency departments saw bites, bruises and dislocations over the holidays — and that wasn’t even in the patients.

January 2026

ED nurses urged to share violence and aggression incidents

By Renee Kiriona

January 8, 2026

Tōpūtanga Taphui Kaitiaki o Aotearoa – NZNO wants to hear from nurses working in emergency departments (ED) throughout the country about any violent, aggressive and threatening behaviour they have experienced while on duty over the holiday period.

November 2025

Health system is ‘broken’ reveals poll, as strike gets underway — but we love our nurses

By Mary Longmore

November 17, 2025

“Broken, underfunded and struggling.” As nurses launch two weeks of strikes, a new poll reveals how the public sees the health system.

27 Oct	Pilot registry to trial a safer path for women’s pelvic health Health New Zealand has started a pilot in Christchurch today to test processes required to establish a nationwide registry for female pelvic floor procedures, including surgical mesh.
23 Oct	National’s hiring freeze puts lives at risk Last night’s warnings from doctors at Wairau Hospital that patients may die if they don’t get more staff is yet another example of the damage National’s hiring freeze has done to our health system.
23 Oct	Recognition of need to fix primary care crisis good for patients Recognition of the need to fix the crisis in primary health care is good for patients but stops short of a much-needed overhaul of the sector, NZNO says.
20 Oct	Winners of the 2026 NZ Primary Healthcare Awards \| He Tohu Mauri Ora announced Over 600 supporters of primary care gathered at the Auckland's Viaduct Events Centre on Saturday night for a glittering gala dinner for the 2026 New Zealand Primary Healthcare Awards \| He Tohu Mauri Ora.
19 Oct	Te Whatu Ora must fully staff vital Starship Children's Hospital wards Te Whatu Ora must fully staff all wards at Starship Children's Hospital including four vital wards which are short of a total of 18 full-time nurses, NZNO says.
16 Oct	Paid placements policy will help boost nursing workforce A policy to pay nursing students a weekly allowance while they're on clinical placements will help them graduate and boost Aotearoa New Zealand's homegrown nursing workforce, NZNO says.
5 Oct	Labour's pay rise a first step, but pay equity needs a full settlement Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO has welcomed Labour's promised pay rise for care and support workers as a first step. It says care and support workers now need a full settlement of their pay equity claim and a workable pay equity system for all of its members.
1 Oct	Health NZ releases first national report on serious adverse events Health New Zealand has published its first national Serious Adverse Event Report, acknowledging the serious harm experienced by patients and whānau and outlining the improvements identified and actions underway to strengthen patient safety. The report covers serious adverse events reported in Hospital and Specialist Services between 1 July and 31 December 2025.
25 Sept	380 more health care workers at the end of winter too little too late An announcement of 380 additional nurses, midwives and health care assistants for hospitals around the country at the end of winter is too little too late, NZNO says.
23 Sept	Auckland University research finds nurse shortages increase post-surgery deaths and complications New research by Auckland University has found addressing nurse shortages in post-operative care may save 182 lives a year because short-staffed wards have higher rates of potentially preventable deaths and complications after their surgeries.
21 Sept	Whanganui Hospital ED averaged 680% capacity over a week Working in an overcrowded emergency department (ED), up to 680% capacity over a week, makes staff feel overwhelmed with the pressure, Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO says.
14 Sept	WellSouth's Newborn Enrolment Kahu Taurima Programme a finalist at the Primary Care Awards 2026 WellSouth's Newborn Enrolment Kahu Taurima Programme is a finalist at the Primary Care Awards for the HALEO Best Supplier Service, Product or Campaign category. Winners will be announced on 17 October.
14 Sept	Global Study: Nursing Shortages Require Workforce Policy Solutions, Not Recruitment Campaigns Alone Why people choose nursing, and why they leave, comes down to the same factors. The global nursing shortage cannot be solved simply by encouraging more people to enter the profession, according to a new evidence brief.
8 Sept	Overworked, understaffed Gisborne ED staff strike Health and safety concerns arising from unsafe staffing levels have forced nurses at Gisborne Hospital’s emergency department (ED) to go on strike.
4 Sept	Strong growth in wāhine Māori and Pacific women’s cervical screening rates highlights success of self-testing programme Cervical screening participation has increased significantly for both wāhine Māori and Pacific women, reflecting the strong impact of self-testing, Screening Services and the dedicated efforts of health providers working alongside their communities.
4 Sept	Government must adopt Wai 2713 recommendations on disability system The Coalition Government must urgently adopt new recommendations from the Waitangi Tribunal which has found significant parts of the disability system prejudice tāngata whaikaha Māori (Māori with disabilities), NZNO says.
31 Aug	Employing graduate nurses will help keep them in nursing and the country A new proposal that will require Te Whatu Ora to offer all eligible graduate nurses jobs in the public health system will help keep them in nursing and in Aotearoa New Zealand, NZNO says.
26 Aug	Health Minister’s claim Winter Plan ‘managing well’ delusional Health Minister Simeon Brown’s claim that hospitals are ‘managing well’ because of the Government’s Winter Plan is delusional, NZNO says.
25 Aug	Hospital data shows nursing shortages continue to put patients at risk Te Whatu Ora data released today shows patients are continuing to be put at risk by the Coalition Government’s deliberate failure to safely staff hospital wards, NZNO says.
24 Aug	Fed-up North Shore ED staff declare state of emergency NZNO members working in the emergency department (ED) at North Shore Hospital have declared a state of emergency due to unsafe staffing levels resulting in ongoing overcrowding.
19 Aug	What happened to the winter health plan? The $25 million 2026 Winter Plan launched by Health Minister Simeon Brown in March to erase pressure on the health system has been an unmitigated disaster, Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO says.
11 Aug	Applications open for advanced nursing education programmes Health New Zealand is encouraging registered nurses to apply for two advanced education programmes that support nurses to further develop their clinical skills and expand access to care in communities across New Zealand.
3 Aug	Health New Zealand welcomes settlement of NZRDA collective agreement Health New Zealand welcomes the vote by New Zealand Resident Doctors Association (NZRDA) members to settle their collective agreement.
30 Jul	Backing our frontline rural health workforce Rural communities across New Zealand will benefit from three new investments that will support the rural health workforce and help more people access care closer to home, Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey says.
22 Jul	Te Whatu Ora must disclose staffing levels at time of tragic death 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.
6 Jul	Reflecting on IND 2026 Looking back on last month’s International Nurses Day 12 May 2026 (IND 2026), the impact of this year's theme "Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives" continues to resonate across the world. ICN’s landmark IND 2026 report defined seven key powers of nursing and this message has been strengthened with nurses in every region celebrating, naming, and owning their powers throughout May.
3 Jul	Health New Zealand acknowledges Ombudsman statement on Wakari Ward 10A Health NZ welcomes the independent investigation by the Ministry of Health into Ward 10A. On Wednesday the Health NZ board agreed to close Wakari Ward 10a as a forensic intellectual disability (ID) unit, with the future use of the ward yet to be determined.
2 Jul	New programme to fast track bowel cancer care and cut colonoscopy waitlists Health New Zealand is today launching a national initiative, designed to fast track bowel cancer care and reduce colonoscopy waitlists by up to 30 per cent.
1 Jul	Six new Co-Response Team locations announced to strengthen support for people in mental distress The next six locations for Health New Zealand and NZ Police Co-Response Teams have been confirmed, expanding a model that helps people experiencing mental distress receive timely, wraparound support that better meets their health needs.
29 Jun	Mental health and addiction targets progress continues Health New Zealand continues to make important progress against its mental health and addiction targets, meeting four out of five national targets this quarter.
25 Jun	Access to care continuing to improve across a range of health indicators New health data released today shows continued improvement in access to care across a range of health indicators.
18 Jun	Funding "boost" continues dangerous under-funding of aged care 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.
16 Jun	Labour to make maternity scans free Labour will add free maternity scans to the Medicard alongside three free doctor’s visits a year, so every pregnant woman gets the care she needs.