NZNO, Maori health care providers to join forces

A unique employment agreement between the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) and 60 Maori and iwi primary health care providers is to be negotiated today.

NZNO lead advocate Joanne Wrigley said the negotiations were an opportunity to extend their partnership with Te Runanga o Aotearoa and to recognise the practices of the Maori and iwi primary health providers.

According to a survey undertaken by NZNO in June, registered nurses working for Maori and iwi primary health providers earn on average $22.73 an hour compared to a base rate of $26.66 for most public hospital nurses.

"It is absolutely vital that the Maori and iwi primary health care sector is able to retain its health care professionals and increase their numbers if the goals of the strategy are to be achieved," Ms Wrigley said.

- NZPA