19989 (2026). Ingrid Leary to the Minister of Health

Written Question

Published date: 15 Jun 2026

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	19989 (2026)
Question asked:	21 May 2026
Member asking:	Ingrid Leary
Portfolio:	Minister of Health
Minister replying:	Hon Simeon Brown
Answer received:	08 Jun 2026
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_19989_2026
Document guid:	97cb433f-3563-4805-8cd0-23236d0e0521

19989 (2026). Ingrid Leary to the Minister of Health: Has Health New Zealand relied on outsourcing, additional clinics, or contracted theatre sessions to meet elective or other health targets while maintaining unfilled clinical vacancies; if so, what was the total expenditure on outsourced services during 2025 and January-February 2026?

Hon Simeon Brown: I am advised that Health New Zealand has always had clinical vacancies due to the size and nature of its clinical workforce. It uses outsourcing arrangements and additional clinics in tandem with routine treatment schedules to increase overall service capacity and support timely access to care for all New Zealanders. I am further advised that Health NZ cannot provide total expenditure for services by health target as it conducts outsourcing for a wide-range of clinical services, not just for services relating to health targets.