13973 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

Written Question

Published date: 18 May 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	13973 (2026)
Question asked:	13 Apr 2026
Member asking:	Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall
Portfolio:	Minister of Health
Minister replying:	Hon Simeon Brown
Answer received:	12 May 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_13973_2026
Document guid:	919dbbde-fa32-4e4e-bc9b-d984f7fe1378

13973 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: Has Health NZ indicated a preparedness to enter longer term contracts for the delivery of publicly funded elective surgical services that are provided by third parties, if so, how many years is a longer-term contract anticipated to last?

Hon Simeon Brown: I am advised that Health New Zealand intends to take up and extend a right of renewal term with members of the Surgical Panel. The proposed term of the right of renewals vary. This aligns with the approach used by successive governments to support better value for money and make full use of available capacity across the health system to ensure more patients are seen and treated sooner.