Photo: RNZThe government has announced that hospitals will get hundreds more staff and extra beds as the health system prepares for winter pressure. Health Minister Simeon Brown said Health New Zealand would invest an extra $25 million to boost hospital capacity and staffing across the country ahead of the colder months. The funding would provide up to 378 additional full-time staff across nursing, medical, allied health and support roles and 71 extra winter hospital beds. Brown said emergency department visits continued to rise as the population grows and ages, putting increasing pressure on hospitals during winter. "While hospitals undertake seasonal planning each year as part of normal operations, winter demand still places significant pressure on services and frontline staff.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 16, 2026 19:30 UTC