In the red corner

We’re taking action to make sure that our health system works for all New Zealanders, no matter who you are or where you live.

It’s a big job, but the steps we’re taking – making record investments in health, strengthening our workforce, rebuilding hospitals, as well as our health reforms – will continue to make a positive difference for everyone. Countries around the world are grappling with skill shortages and health systems under pressure.

New Zealand isn’t immune to this, and, even with our strong COVID response putting us in a better position than most, communities like mine in South Auckland are feeling the pressure, and I want to thank our dedicated healthcare workers.

When we took office, we stepped up efforts to grow our workforce. We’ve funded 3400 extra nurses and have 1400 extra doctors, and while our borders were shut we brought in 5000 critical healthcare workers, including more than 2000 nurses.

After years of neglect, we’re also making long term plans for training, recruitment, retention, and fair pay for the people who care for our families.

To make sure Kiwis get the world-class healthcare they deserve, we need to get the system sorted to better focus on services – and that’s what our health reforms are about.

Our reforms will make it easier to get care early so small issues don’t become big problems requiring hospitalisation, helping to ease the pressure on our system. We’re also investing in better digital technology to further increase access to health services.

Specialist and hospital services will be planned at a national level and managed via regional networks. This means there will be more consistency of care, as well as ensuring people have greater certainty around access to specialist care.

For doctors and nurses, a more streamlined, unified system will allow them to concentrate on patient care instead of battling bureaucracy.

We build consensus with other parties wherever possible, to ensure change that endures.

It’s disappointing to see National’s Christopher Luxon saying New Zealand needs to move on from COVID.

We all still have a role to play to protect each other.

Our Government will continue to take action to alleviate the pressure that COVID and influenza are putting on our health system. We recently stepped up the tools that work, announcing more free masks and RATS, and increasing access to antiviral medication – to get us through the darkest part of winter.