8365 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

8365 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: How many people, if any, have died while waiting for an autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplant in each of the past five years?

Hon Simeon Brown: I am advised that at present Health New Zealand's data collection systems do not enable this question to be answered in a timely or nationally consistent way and that providing the Member with this information would require Health NZ to undertake a substantial manual collation exercise and divert staff from their core duties. In accordance with Speaker’s Ruling 210-6, I consider that the time, and hence the expense, of answering the Member’s question is not in the public interest. There are two types of stem cell transplant, autologous, where the patient’s own cells are returned to them, and allogeneic, where donor cells are provided. Allogeneic transplants are more complex , and risky. This response focusses on allogeneic stem cell transplant.Allogeneic Stem Cell transplant is a complex multi-stage pathway, and not every patient referred will proceed to transplant. I am also advised that to improve access and coordination, Health NZ has increased investment in allogeneic stem cell transplant services, including an additional $6.1 million per year in 2024/25 and a further $27.1 million over three years announced in 2025 to expand capacity and support more timely transplants. As part of this work, Health NZ is developing a nationwide stem cell transplant scheduling tool to provide national visibility of referrals and patient status, support improved coordination and timely access, and enable better reporting in future when used alongside mortality data.