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On how many shifts, in each year from 2021 to date, did the emergency department operate with fewer than the rostered number of resident medical officers, senior medical officers, or nursing staff at each of Kaitāia, Bay of Islands, Taumarunui, Hāwera, Thames, Te Nīkau Grey, Te Kūiti, Taupō, Wairoa, Whakatāne, Timaru, and Tokoroa hospitals; and what is the longest continuous period in that timeframe during which any of those positions was vacant?

Answered Question 25639 (2026)
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Asked by

Ayesha Verrall

List MP · Labour Party

Question

  • On how many shifts, in each year from 2021 to date, did the emergency department operate with fewer than the rostered number of resident medical officers, senior medical officers, or nursing staff at each of Kaitāia, Bay of Islands, Taumarunui, Hāwera, Thames, Te Nīkau Grey, Te Kūiti, Taupō, Wairoa, Whakatāne, Timaru, and Tokoroa hospitals; and what is the longest continuous period in that timeframe during which any of those positions was vacant?

Answered by

Hon Simeon Brown

Member for Pakuranga · National Party · Minister of Health

Answer

I am advised that providing the Member with this information would require Health New Zealand to undertake a substantial manual collation 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.