Health New Zealand is unable to hire all job-seeking nurses
Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand serves as the nation’s primary publicly funded healthcare system. Established by the New Zealand Government to replace the 20 former district health boards, it officially came into operation on 1st July 2022. In partnership with the Public Health Agency, Health New Zealand is responsible for managing and coordinating healthcare services nationwide. It is the largest employer in the New Zealand with a combined workforce of 80,000, managing an estimated annual operating budget of NZ$20 billion and an asset base of approximately NZ$24 billion.
New Zealand Nurses Strike
On July 29, 2025, over 36,000 nurses went on a 24-hour strike in protest over pay and what they describe as severe staffing shortages. Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa – New Zealand Nurses Organization, stated that chronic understaffing was the primary driver behind the nationwide strike. Members emphasized that their fight is focused on ensuring safe staffing levels for patient care. In response, Health New Zealand claimed it has a surplus of nurses available for the public hospital system but lacks the financial capacity to employ them all.
Nursing students and graduates have voiced their disappointment with Health New Zealand, stating that the system is letting them down. According to a survey conducted by the New Zealand Nurses Organization, nearly 62% of student nurses are considering working overseas after graduation. The findings reveal that 61.86% of students feel pessimistic about the current conditions in New Zealand and are actively exploring opportunities abroad. Additionally, 50% of nursing graduates who applied for hospital positions were unsuccessful. A spokesperson from the union’s National Student Unit summed it up bluntly: “Hire us or we will leave.”
It was also revealed that many students faced financial stress during their studies. A major factor is the cost of a nursing degree, which exceeds $30,000 in tuition alone, excluding expenses for uniforms and other essentials. While students do have the opportunity to complete placements, allowing them to train in hospitals or clinics for up to six weeks at a time, these placements are unpaid.
There has also been speculation surrounding the proposed pay increase. Health New Zealand has offered a 2% raise this year, a 1% increase next year, and a lump-sum payment of $325. Additionally, it seeks to extend the agreement by three months, making it a 27-month deal ending in January 2027. However, the union contends that this extended term would further dilute the value of the pay offer. The Nurses Organization is instead demanding a 3% increase this year, backdated to 7 April, and a 2% increase next year, effective from April 2026.
BSN and Diploma Nurses Face Unemployment
Recent reports indicate that newly graduated enrolled nurses are facing difficulties securing employment, despite having spent thousands of dollars on training they believed would enhance their career prospects in healthcare. The Diploma in Enrolled Nursing takes 18 months to complete, half the duration of a bachelor’s degree and offers broader training than a healthcare assistant course. However, job opportunities for enrolled nurses remain limited, and many employers lack a clear understanding of their skills and scope of practice. As a result, these diploma-qualified nurses are now struggling to enter the workforce.
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