TOP Calls for Action on Nursing Workforce Crisis in NZ
The Opportunities Party leader Raf Manji is calling for urgent action to address New Zealand’s nursing workforce crisis, warning that low pay and poor conditions are driving thousands of nurses overseas.
TOP calls for urgent action on nursing workforce crisis
Following the nationwide rally on 17 April 2023, demanding fairer pay and an end to chronic understaffing, Leader of The Opportunities Party Raf Manji calls for essential nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants to be shown the respect they deserve.
The Opportunities Party recognises the critical role that nurses play in our healthcare system and the sacrifices they are making to keep our communities safe, with the COVID-19 pandemic further highlighting the invaluable role of our nurses. However, the Government continues to fall short of providing a fair pay rise in line with cost of living, resulting in a mass exodus of nurses to other countries where they are treated more fairly.
Why nurses are leaving New Zealand
Since August 2022, 5,000 New Zealand nurses have registered to practise in Australia, approximately 8% of the 65,000 nurses registered in New Zealand1.
Raf Manji says enough is enough. “We have a nursing workforce crisis and the Government needs to acknowledge that.”
The Opportunities Party is committed to working with the New Zealand Nurses Organisation to address the issue of fair pay and better working conditions. And today, The Opportunities Party is calling on the Government to raise nurses’ pay in line with Australia, to close the pay gap and pay nurses what they are worth.
The pay gap between New Zealand and Australia
It is estimated that the starting rate for an enrolled nurse in Australia is approximately $9,000 higher than in New Zealand, and almost $17,000 higher for registered nurses (Australian figures converted to $NZD).
Why the healthcare system is under pressure
“Nobody understands the true problems on the ground better than the nurses working tirelessly to ensure our hospitals continue to function. But, the Government needs to acknowledge this and pay nurses fairly.”
TOP’s plan to improve pay and conditions
The Opportunities Party is committed to working with the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) to find sustainable solutions that serve the needs of all New Zealanders.
When frontline healthcare workers are forced to leave for better conditions, the crisis is no longer looming — it is already here. The question is how quickly it is addressed.
Nurses etc relocating to Aus for better conditions and pay has always been a thing. We fill the gaps with nurses etc from Asia who then move to Aus for better conditions and pay as soon as they get NZ citizenship. Throw in covid which has increased the demand for nurses worldwide and it’s not a cheap or simple problem to fix although better pay and conditions would be a good start.