52405 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health

Written Question

Published date: 20 Nov 2025

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	52405 (2025)
Question asked:	04 Nov 2025
Member asking:	Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall
Portfolio:	Minister of Health
Minister replying:	Hon Simeon Brown
Answer received:	15 Nov 2025
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_52405_2025
Document guid:	e2ad9984-f8e1-4ea2-9c4d-5b1b7a83147e

52405 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Health: What staff were or are available to support contact tracing in the National Public Health Service in October 2023, October 2024 and October 2025?

Hon Simeon Brown: I am advised that based on the most recent workforce figures from September 2025, the National Public Health Service has approximately 189 staff who can be deployed for contact tracing, as part of our focus on putting patients first and ensuring all New Zealanders have access to timely, quality healthcare. This number can increase to approximately 235 staff when drawing on the broader national workforce. I am further advised that in November 2024, the number of staff available was similar to the above figures. However, in October 2023, I am advised that the the National Public Health Service was undergoing significant restructuring and a consolidated assessment of staff available for contact tracing was not undertaken.