![\"Health](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/4JRKH6C_shared_image_1_jpg.jpeg\")
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\nHealth Minister Simeon Brown.
\nPhoto: RNZ \/ Adam Burns\n<\/p>\n
Home and community support workers will receive a temporary 30 percent increase to their mileage rates to help offset rising fuel costs.<\/p>\n
The 30 percent increase means mileage rates will go from 63.5 cents to 82.5 cents per kilometre.<\/p>\n
The changes work out to be an extra $19.05 per 100 kilometres of travel.<\/p>\n
Health Minister Simeon Brown made the announcement on Thursday.<\/p>\n
“Home and community support workers play a critical role in delivering essential services to some of our most vulnerable New Zealanders, and we deeply value the meaningful work they carry out in communities across the country.<\/p>\n
“Their role requires frequent daily travel to provide care in people’s homes, and we are acting quickly to ease the pressure of rising fuel costs caused by conflict in the Middle East while they carry out this vital work.” Brown said.<\/p>\n
The increase will remain in place for up to 12 months, or until the price of 91 octane petrol falls below $3 a litre for four consecutive weeks.<\/p>\n
It will apply to home and community support workers who work for providers contracted to Health New Zealand, Ministry of Social Development, and ACC.<\/p>\n
“This is timely, targeted, and temporary support to address the immediate cost pressures facing frontline workers and the services they deliver.<\/p>\n
“We can’t control global fuel prices, but we can make sure workers delivering essential care are supported to keep services running.” Brown said.<\/p>\n
He said this is a practical, common-sense step to ensure continuity of care for New Zealanders who rely on these services every day.<\/p>\n
“Temporarily increasing the mileage rate for these workers recognises the vital role they play in our health system and helps ensure they can continue delivering quality care to those who need it most.<\/p>\n
“We are committed to supporting the workforces who keep essential services running and making sure New Zealanders continue to receive the care and support they need.” Brown said.<\/p>\n
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said relief for home and community support workers was “welcome, but not enough”.<\/p>\n
“First of all we’d put pay equity back on the table<\/a> for care and support workers.<\/p>\n “They went all the way through the court system to get fair pay and saw that eroded, and this government has actually passed a law to say they can’t lodge another pay equity claim for 10 years.<\/p>\n “That shows how little this government values them.”<\/p>\n On Tuesday, the care workers’ unions said they are taking legal action against Health NZ, with carers in remote areas saying the price of petrol is so high<\/a> they are losing money visiting their more remote clients.<\/p>\n The Public Service Association (PSA) and E T\u016b jointly filed an Employment Relations Authority claim against the health agency on the basis that it is illegal for employers to dictate how workers spend their money, yet the agency requires workers to pay for fuel and car maintenance.<\/p>\n