17221 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

17221 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: How many people, if any, have been waiting for a first specialist assessment for more than 12 months at the end of each quarter for the past six financial years?

Hon Simeon Brown: My focus is on ensuring that New Zealanders can access timely, high-quality healthcare when they need it. When this Government came into office, a growing number of patients were waiting longer for specialist care. To strengthen accountability and improve performance, we reintroduced health targets to ensure a clear focus on delivering results for patients. New Zealanders rightly expect access to timely, quality healthcare. That is why improving access to specialist services remains a key priority. The data attached shows that since the reintroduction of health targets, the quarter-by-quarter growth trend for the number of patients waiting more than 12 months for a first specialist assessment has been halted, the trend has stabilised, and the number waiting more than 12 months has begun to reduce for the first time in many years. This follows a significant increase in waiting times over previous years, including a 6,416 per cent increase between 2017 and 2023 in the number of people waiting longer than four months for a first specialist assessment.