Chief executive Nick Chamberlain said funding is apportioned according to the National Population Based Funding Formula (PBFF) set by the Ministry of Health, which takes into account population size and demographics.
While last year's $28 million of what the MoH called "new money" sounded like a boost, it was really only an adjustment to keep up with increased outgoings and costs.
"It is an annual adjustment to keep up with population growth and cost pressures and also to deliver to specific Ministry of Health directed initiatives," Dr Chamberlain said.
Those initiatives might include paying for new cancer drugs, more elective surgery volumes or age related residential care costs, etc.
Dr Chamberlain said last year's $28 million increase had been expected: "However it is less that what we had hoped."
The new $2 billion pay equity settlement for the country's 55,000 care and support workers, effective from July 1, is also expected to impact on health boards' bulk funding.
Keeping people out of hospital and residential care has been a focus the MoH has recognised and increased funding for, according to Health Minister Jonathan Coleman.
For example, Northland's home support services funding has gone up 60 per cent in eight years, he said.
"To help Northlanders live longer, healthy lives away from hospitals and in the community the DHB provides a wide range of home help support services.
"This includes but isn't limited to help with personal care and household chores."
Funding for that purpose has increased from $11.9 million in 2008/2009 to $19.14 million in 2016/2017, an increase of $7.24 million.
"This increase in access to home support services is supported by the $160 million [general] funding increase Northland DHB has received over the last eight years," Dr Coleman said.