August 29, 2022
Māori primary nurses rally for pay equity
Nurses Organisation members are holding public rallies today in five main centres this lunchtime to call for primary health care nurses to be paid what they’re worth.
The rallies are in Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch.
Primary health care nurses work in General Practice, after-hours emergency centres, Plunket, Māori and iwi health providers, Urgent Care and Family Planning.
They have the same qualifications, training and responsibilities as Te Whatu Ora nurses, but are paid up to 25 percent less in the case of nurses working for Māori and iwi providers.
Many employers say they want to pay their staff the same rates as nurses in public hospitals, but they can’t do so without increased capitation funding from the Government.