More healthcare at home for elderly people has resulted in more than $6 million in Government funding for Hawke's Bay.
The 48 per cent increase - from $12.7m in 2008/2009 to $18.87m in 2016/2017 - reflects a shift to primary care as Hawke's Bay District Health Board seeks to keep people out of hospital.
The increased funding enables more older people to continue living in their own home and helps people recover from surgery at home.
Ministry of Health figures show the number of Hawke's Bay residents receiving home support services has risen from 3684 to 5080 clients this year, a 38 per cent increase during the period.
The number of hours of care is estimated to have increased from 595,900 to 683,100 this year - an increase of 87,200 hours.
The rise amplifies the once-in-a-lifetime pay bump coming to 2000 Hawke's Bay state-funded care workers from July 1.
The Government agreed to a pay rise of between 15 and 50 per cent after a successful union-sponsored court case for pay equity.
Care worker Kristine Bartlett's case against her rest-home employer sparked the Government's decision to increase funding, preventing the matter being decided by the courts under the National Government's 1972 Equal Pay Act.
Health Minister Jonathan Coleman said it would cost the Government $2 billion.
"For the 20,000 workers currently on the minimum wage of $15.75 per hour, it means on July 1 they will move to at least $19 per hour, a 21 per cent pay rise," he said.
"For a full-time worker, this means they will be taking home around an extra $100 a week, which is more than $5000 a year."
Full implementation of the increase will take five years.