“Health NZ data obtained by NZNO under the Official Information Act shows between January and November last year, 50% of all day shifts were understaffed across hospital wards in 16 health districts.”
To “add insult to injury”, members had again been offered a wage increase which did not meet cost of living increases and would see them and their whānau go backwards financially, he said.
Health NZ is offering a 3% pay rise over two years, plus two payments of $325.
Shearer said she was disappointed at the vote to take strike action when there was a reasonable offer from Health NZ still sitting on the table.
The offer would see a new graduate nurse on $75,773 get a total pay increase of $8337 (or 11%) by the end of June 2026 once step progression was included, she said.
A registered nurse on the highest step with a base salary of $106,739 would see their pay increase by $3224 to $109,963 by the end of June 2026.
“We acknowledge the hard work of our nurses, but the reality is that Health NZ is operating within tight financial constraints.”
