13384 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

13384 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: How many contracts, if any, for the delivery of publicly funded elective surgical services currently exist between Health NZ and third parties?

Hon Simeon Brown: I am advised that as part of our focus on putting patients first and ensuring all New Zealanders have access to timely, quality healthcare, Health New Zealand holds contractual agreements with a panel of pre-approved suppliers, which have standard terms and conditions, service specifications, and clinical pathways, called ‘Panel Agreements’. Statement of Works outline the specific services a contracted provider will deliver under, which are sent to Panel Agreement suppliers to establish the volumes to be delivered over a period of time, with an ‘up to’ maximum volume and value. I am further advised that Health NZ currently holds 34 Surgical Panel Agreements across 47 facilities.