27860 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

27860 (2026). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: How many allied, scientific and technical positions were funded, filled, and vacant at each of Kaitāia, Bay of Islands, Taumarunui, Hāwera, Thames, Te Nīkau Grey, Te Kūiti, Taupō, Wairoa, Whakatāne, Timaru, Tokoroa, Ashburton, Lakes District, Wairau, Wairarapa, Whanganui and Kenepuru Hospitals, and what were the vacancy rates in each month from 1 July 2023 to date?

Hon Simeon Brown: I am advised Health New Zealand does not hold this information centrally, and that providing the Member with this information would require Health New Zealand to undertake a substantial manual collation and verification exercise and divert staff from their core duties. In accordance with Speaker’s Ruling 210-6, I consider that the time, and hence the expense, of answering the Member’s question is not in the public interest.