51397 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

51397 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What is the laboratory system's daily capacity for PCR and serology testing?

Hon Simeon Brown: I am advised that, as part of our focus on putting patients first and ensuring all New Zealanders have access to timely, quality healthcare, laboratory capacity for testing is sufficient, and that no issues have been identified. Preparedness assessments indicate current capacity for PCR testing for contacts with symptoms is 1,280 tests/day (increasing to 1,900 tests/day if required), and capacity for serology of 1,278 tests/day (increasing to 3,000 tests/day if required).