Resident doctors claimed they had been working rosters which were unsafe for patients
A spokesperson for the NZRDA described the strike as a last resort to try to get some movement on the doctors' working conditions.
"We've had a lot of support from the public since the strike began, for which we're very grateful," the spokesperson said.
The Bay of Plenty Times tried to speak to one of the striking doctors but was told there were strict rules around staff speaking to media.
In a written statement Gail Bingham, Bay of Plenty District Health Board general manager of governance and quality, said doctors, like all staff, were free to talk to the media in a private capacity.
"However they cannot claim to represent the DHB (unless previously authorised to do so), cannot use any information they have obtained as part of their job, and cannot bring the organisation into disrepute," she said.
Bay of Plenty District Health Board's medical director Dr Hugh Lees said junior and senior doctors were working extra hours during the strike but the hours depended on their speciality.
Dr Lees said the cost of the strike would not be known until pay claims were processed.
"We are coping well in both Tauranga and Whakatane and there are no concerns at the moment. The response of our communities has been extremely good and we would like to thank them for their understanding," he said.
Mick Prior, the DHB's shared services general manager, said he expected the closed door negotiations to take up all of yesterday and he would not comment further at this time.
Facts about Bay of Plenty District Health Board
• Total resident doctors employed: 162
• Total resident doctors on affected rosters: 93
• Seven rosters affected in the Bay of Plenty
• Two rosters were not fixed at all
• Five rosters were partially fixed
• Number of resident doctors required for safer rosters: 6.4