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the hard work that we do and to be able to give the best care that we can, not be stretched.’’

A registered nurse of 16 years, Bronwyn Hamilton, who worked in Wairau Hospital’s emergency department, said pay rates simply did not attract people into the field.

‘‘The staffing levels especially in the DHB, they’re leaving us at breaking point. They’re putting ourselves and our patients at risk,’’ Hamilton said.

‘‘I think nurses are exhausted, we’re tired, every time we have a pay negotiation. It’s already been going on for a year, we keep having to fight over and over again.’’

She said the emergency department was extremely high-stress, with huge responsibility.

‘‘We deal with traumas, we deal with mental health patients, we deal with pretty much anything that comes through the door in any state,’’ she said.

‘‘We’re responsible for giving medications, giving care for patients, but we’re also responsible for keeping an eye on our colleagues.’’

The district health board had been promising safe staffing levels for years, Hamilton said.

‘‘It was in our last contract three years ago that safe staffing would be fully implemented by July, and it’s still not done, and we’re still fighting for it, and we should not have to be fighting for it.’’

Hamilton’s colleague, Sue Davies, said the strike was about protecting the future.

‘‘A nurse has massive legal responsibilities, we’re responsible if we harm someone.

‘‘It’s not just about money, although that is a large component, most of it is about safe staffing, and being able to go to work to do your job and look after your patients in the best possible way.

‘‘And we can’t do that, because we’re constantly under-resourced.’’