16973 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

16973 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: Which other clinical gases, aside from oxygen and nitrous oxide, are used in New Zealand public hospital operating theatres and intensive care units, and of them, which if any are manufactured in New Zealand?

Hon Simeon Brown: I am advised that aside from oxygen and nitrous oxide, the following clinical gases are used in New Zealand public hospital operating theatres and intensive care units: • Medical air and carbon dioxide, which is manufactured in New Zealand; • Entonox (nitrous oxide/oxygen mix), which is manufactured in New Zealand, using oxygen produced in New Zealand and nitrous oxide sourced from Taiwan and; • Heliox (helium/oxygen mix) and nitric oxide, which is manufactured in Australia.