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Which other clinical gases, aside from oxygen and nitrous oxide, are used in New Zealand public hospital operating theatres and intensive care units, and of them, which if any are manufactured in New Zealand?

Answered Question 16973 (2026)
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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • Which other clinical gases, aside from oxygen and nitrous oxide, are used in New Zealand public hospital operating theatres and intensive care units, and of them, which if any are manufactured in New Zealand?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that aside from oxygen and nitrous oxide, the following clinical gases are used in New Zealand public hospital operating theatres and intensive care units: • Medical air and carbon dioxide, which is manufactured in New Zealand; • Entonox (nitrous oxide/oxygen mix), which is manufactured in New Zealand, using oxygen produced in New Zealand and nitrous oxide sourced from Taiwan and; • Heliox (helium/oxygen mix) and nitric oxide, which is manufactured in Australia.