May 26, 2023
Pay boost on way for hauora nurses
The New Zealand Nurses Organisation says new funding to reduce pay disparities could make a big difference for nurses working for general practice, community and Māori providers.
Health Minister Ayesha Verrall says the funding will kick in from July.
NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says the minister gets right to the heart of the matter when she says nurses with the same skillsets and experience should receive comparable pay regardless of where they practise.
She says many Māori providers missed out on funding for Māori and iwi in the last tranche because they are technically general practices, and this may help address that oversight – especially in terms of the important cultural overlay Māori nurses bring, which is often overlooked or taken for granted.
Retention of staff has been a major challenge for general practices and community providers because of the significant pay gap with nurses and kaiāwhina working for Te Whatu Ora.