16339 (2025). Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to the Minister of Health

Written Question

Published date: 22 Apr 2025

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	16339 (2025)
Question asked:	03 Apr 2025
Member asking:	Debbie Ngarewa-Packer
Portfolio:	Minister of Health
Minister replying:	Hon Simeon Brown
Answer received:	13 Apr 2025
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_16339_2025
Document guid:	77ad69dd-a040-4bbc-af47-acb24753b6aa

16339 (2025). Debbie Ngarewa-Packer to the Minister of Health: Does the Minister agree with the former Minister of Health that the health system is in crisis, if so, why?

Hon Simeon Brown: Too many Kiwis are waiting too long to be seen at Emergency Department, receive first specialist assessments, and have elective surgeries. There’s been a steep decline in delivery in recent years, following the previous government's decisions to remove health targets and restructure the health system in the middle of a pandemic. That's why we have brought back health targets to put the focus back on patients. New Zealanders rightfully expect access to timely, quality healthcare, and that’s what my absolute focus is on.