Knife-wielding man arrested at nursing protest in Christchurch

The witness told Stuff he thought the man had thrown the knife into the nearby Avon River.

A man was taken into custody for disorderly behaviour.

Health NZ is offering a 2% pay increase this year, 1% next year and a lump sum payment of $325.

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It has also sought to extend the term of the agreement by three months to 27 months to January 2027.

The union points out that a longer term would further dilute the value of the pay rise.

The Nurses Organisation wants a 3% increase this year, backdated to April 7 and 2% next year effective April 2026.

The union’s chief executive, Paul Goulter said that pay was not the critical issue.

“The heart of this dispute is the failure of the Government to provide guarantees that they will fund and resource staffing that meets what our patients need.”

Nurses from all over Auckland gathered in the Auckland CBD to march up Queen Street today. The event was part of a national protest that saw 36,000 nurses, midwives, healthcare assistants and kaimahi hauora walk off the job for 24 hours from 9am.
Photo / Dean Purcell

Data obtained by the NZNO under the Official Information Act for 16 districts over 10 months last year showed 50% of day shifts were under-staffed.

The nurses’ organisation said its members were also fighting for safe staffing levels for patients.

Waikato Hospital emergency department nurse and union delegate Tracy Chisholm said the ED was so short-staffed that patients who soiled themselves could end up lying for hours in their filth because staff did not have time to help.

Waikato Hospital emergency department nurse and union delegate Tracy Chisholm. Photo / Natalie Akoorie, RNZ

Other patients could wait all night just to be seen.

“It could mean 14 hours sitting in a waiting room through the night. It’s not uncommon for patients who arrive at 9pm to not see a doctor until the following morning,” she said.

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Health Minister Simeon Brown said a union strike “will not shorten waitlists or improve care”.

“Today’s union strike is causing real and avoidable harm to patients across the country.”

Brown said more than 1500 surgeries had been cancelled or postponed, and 2800 specialist appointments had been delayed, alongside other vital scans and diagnostic procedures.

“Thousands of New Zealanders will go without the care that they need.

“Many of these are New Zealanders who have already waited far too long.

“We value our nursing workforce, but this strike creates significant risks for patients – it’s not the path to safer care.”

AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.More than 36,000 healthcare workers are on strike across the country today for 24 hours from 9am today. Photo / Rosie Leishman

He said the Health NZ pay offer is on top of guaranteed annual pay increases and compared favourably to other recent public sector settlements.

“Pay for nurses is at record levels, with the average nurse earning around $125,000 inclusive of overtime and allowances.

“The current offer will mean that a total increase of $8,337 by June 2026 for a new graduate nurse who starts today on $75,773, inclusive of the progression.”

He said people were still joining and staying on as healthcare workers.

“Since 2023, over 2100 nurses and more than 600 doctors have joined Health NZ’s frontline workforce.

“Retention remains strong, with turnover decreasing from approximately 14% in 2022 to 8.6% in 2024.

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“This means we’re retaining our nursing workforce at a much better rate than it was under the last government.

“I urge the union, and Health NZ, to get back around the negotiating table to end this dispute,” Brown said.