‘It’s a start’ say primary health nurses on 3.5 per cent pay rise

“We are still a long way off [pay parity]”, Morgan told Kaitiaki. “We’re going to keep up the pressure on this, it’s our priority.”

After three months of bargaining, on September 24 NZNO primary health-care (PHC) nurses voted to accept an offer of 3.5 per cent for registered and enrolled nurses and health-care assistants, along with a 7-10 per cent increase for administrative staff and $1 to 1.50 allowance for nurse prescribers.

The 12-month multi-employer collective agreement (MECA) covers about 3500 PHC members and has been ratified by 580 PHC employers, represented in bargaining by three primary health care organisations, GenPro, ProCare and Green Cross Health.

Other claims for two more days’ sick leave, acknowledgement of Te Tiriti and to bring nurse practitioners (NPs) into the MECA for the first time would be back on the table in 2027, Morgan said.

Tracey Morgan, centre, with NZNO bargaining team members Kylie Goddard, right, and Priscilla Wiki.

Employers had also agreed to work with NZNO on developing a more streamlined MECA document than the current 50-plus pager over the next 12 months.

Prior to this offer, PHC nurses had a pay gap of 8-10 per cent with their peers at HNZ, while for administrative staff the gap was up to 28 per cent.

While the pay gap would now shrink to under seven per cent, Morgan said PHC nurses would not be giving up until they achieved full parity with Te Whatu Ora-Health NZ (HNZ).

Morgan said it was gratifying to see higher numbers of PHC nurses voting in the ballot this time around, reflecting higher engagement.

The pay gap for PHC workers widened after HNZ staff settled a $4 billion pay equity claim in 2023. Two PHC pay equity claims (including one for administrative staff) were among the 33 cancelled by the current Government in 2025.

In August NZNO was one of five unions launching a High Court legal challenge to the pay equity law changes, arguing they breached members’ rights.

The 2026/27 PHC MECA can be found here.

At a glance — the 2026/27 PHC MECA:

3.5 per cent pay increase increase for RNs, ENs and HCAs.
7-10 per cent pay increase for administration staff.
$1.50 per hour allowance for designated RN prescribers and $1 per hour for community health nurse prescribers.
A higher hourly rate of $49.90 for nurses in leadership roles.
Professional development and merit allowance increases of $1.10 to $2.35 per hour.
Lump sums of $500 for those on 0.6 FTE or more and $250 for those under 0.6 FTE.

Pay Rates – full breakdown by scale and step

Registered nurse / practice nurse / midwife scale
Step	Hourly Rate
7	$48.60
6	$47.19
5	$45.82
4	$41.22
3	$39.03
2	$36.73
1	$33.93

Enrolled nurse scale
Step	Hourly Rate
4	$36.34
3	$35.17
2	$32.62
1	$31.16

Medical receptionist / administration Staff Scale
Step	Hourly Rate
4	$28.86
3	$28.08
2	$27.42
1	$27.04

Health-care assistant scale
Step	Hourly Rate
4	$30.46
3	$29.91
2	$28.04
1	$26.39

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At a glance — the 2026/27 PHC MECA:

Pay Rates – full breakdown by scale and step

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