One Year of Getting New Zealand Back on Track
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One Year - Health

Delivering better health outcomes
We have invested a record $30 billion annually in health to drive significant improvements, with clear targets for transparency and accountability. 
Tackling priority areas
 Our focus is on addressing long-neglected issues and areas of greatest need. Priorities include delivering:
  • Faster cancer treatment.
  • Higher childhood immunisation rates.
  • Shorter emergency department (ED) wait times.
  • Quicker assessments and treatments for elective care.
Setting clear, ambitious targets
To drive progress and ensure accountability and transparency, we’ve introduced clear health targets to address our priority areas. The latest quarterly results show positive movement:
  • Cancer treatment - 83.5% of patients received treatment within 31 days of the decision to treat - up from 82.7%.
  • Emergency departments - 71.2% of patients were admitted, discharged, or transferred within six hours - up from 70.1%.
  • Elective treatment - 61.4% of patients waited less than four months for elective procedures - up from 57.7%.
  • First specialist assessments - 61.5% of patients waited less than four months for an assessment - up from 59.6%.

Boosting Pharmac’s funding
In June, we announced a $604 million funding increase for Pharmac over four years, enabling access to up to 54 new medicines. This includes up to 26 cancer treatments, expected to benefit 175,000 New Zealanders in the first year alone.
Fast-tracking international specialists
To address workforce shortages, we’re fast-tracking the recruitment of international specialists, particularly from the UK, Ireland, and Australia. This will make it easier and quicker for GPs, ED physicians, psychiatrists, dermatologists, anaesthesiologists, and more to join our medical workforce, with assessments completed within 20 working days.
Enhancing mental health support
We have boosted access to mental health and addiction services by strengthening the workforce, improving service effectiveness, and focusing on prevention and early intervention.
Building a healthier future
This year has been about laying the groundwork for a health system that works for everyone -  targeting resources, driving efficiency, and setting clear goals - so every New Zealander has access to quality, timely care.