7359 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

7359 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What percentage of all consultations with a GP through the Government's 24/7 online GP service occur during standard GP business hours (8am–5pm weekdays) versus after hours and overnight?

Hon Simeon Brown: The Government’s new Online GP Care service is a demand driven service which ensures New Zealanders can get timely medical advice and treatment when in-person appointments aren’t available. This is all part of our goal to fix the basics and build the future. With this initiative, our focus is on ensuring New Zealanders can access healthcare when they need it. Online GP Care is already supporting tens of thousands of people, and it is an important part of our plan to deliver a more accessible and responsive health system that puts patients at the centre. I am advised that of the consults from 16 May 2025 to 22 February 2026: - 56.6% of consults started Monday to Friday between 8am-5pm. - 43.4% of consults started Mon-Fri between 5pm-8am and weekends. Online GP Care provides for all New Zealanders. It is for those who cannot get an appointment late at night, those who live in both urban and rural communities across the North and South Islands, and for those that cannot access their GPs.