Hundreds of Christchurch nurses rallied outside Christchurch Hospital on Hagley Ave before marching to the Health NZ offices on Oxford Tce today, joining thousands of healthcare workers across New Zealand in a nationwide strike.
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The strike aimed to highlight concerns over patient safety and working conditions.
Nurses strike outside Health New Zealand’s Corporate offices in Christchurch / supplied
Around 36,000 nurses, midwives, and healthcare assistants under Te Whatu Ora participated in the action, which followed the health agency’s proposal to pause key elements of the Care Capacity Demand Management (CCDM) programme during collective bargaining.
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Nurses say the programme is essential for determining safe staffing levels based on patient care needs.
The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) warned that pausing the programme poses significant risks to both patient and staff wellbeing.
“Patients will pay the price for hospitals that are continuously understaffed and under-resourced,” said NZNO Chief Executive Paul Goulter.
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The strike also addressed frustration over a proposed wage increase of just 1% of total employee costs starting in April 2025, which nurses argued was far below inflation and effectively a pay cut. Goulter warned the proposal could exacerbate the exodus of New Zealand nurses to Australia.
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Christchurch nurse Debbie Handisides said the strike was critical for the future of healthcare workers and their patients.
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“This strike is for our future nurses and healthcare. With Te Whatu Ora’s proposed parameters, nursing will no longer be a viable career for many, and patient care will suffer,” Handisides said.
