15319 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

15319 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: Has Health New Zealand recruited additional specialists for any clinical specialty where there was only one specialist providing publicly funded services in the past five years, and if so, for which specialties and in which years?

Hon Simeon Brown: As the Member will be aware, the term "specialist" is very broad. I am advised that providing this information, as requested by the Member, would require Health New Zealand to undertake a significant manual collation exercise, diverting staff from essential services that deliver access to timely, quality healthcare. As per Speaker’s Ruling 185-6, the time and cost involved in answering this question are not justified in the public interest.