Tauranga health services are suffering from stagnant funding, says Labour health spokeswoman Annette King.
Mrs King was in the city yesterday, touring health providers to get a handle on the issues facing the sector.
Her itinerary started at the Tauranga Hospital, where she met district health board employees and visited the new accident and emergency department and new wing.
Mrs King also met mental health providers, representatives from Public Health Organisations (PHOs), Maori health providers and members of the psychotherapy community.
"It's been a real familiarisation trip, finding out what's happening here in Tauranga, what the main issues are. The issues here reflect what's happening nationally, there's a real squeeze on funding.