Nurses' strikes and pay dispute 2025

The story so far

More than 36,000 nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants voted in July to strike for 24 hours over pay, staffing and safety concerns.^{11, 30 Jul 2025} In August, a planned two-hour strike in Christchurch was called off 45 minutes before it was due to start, and Health Minister Simeon Brown accused the union of playing politics.^{14 Aug 2025} The union then held a two-day nationwide strike on September 2 and 3, which was expected to disrupt thousands of surgeries and appointments.^{2, 4 Sep 2025}

Latest

Dozens of union delegates turned their backs on Simeon Brown during his speech at a conference in Wellington, following his criticism of the strikes.^{17 Sep 2025} A union report said hospitals were short an average of nearly 600 nurses per shift over the last year.^{17 Sep 2025}

What's next

Health New Zealand and the Health Minister have called for both parties to return to negotiations.^{14 Aug 2025}

Key moments

1. 11 Jul 2025Over 36,000 nurses and health workers vote to strike for 24 hours.
2. 30 Jul 2025The 24-hour nationwide strike goes ahead, postponing many specialist appointments and procedures.
3. 14 Aug 2025Planned Christchurch two-hour strike is cancelled; Minister accuses union of playing politics.
4. 15 Aug 2025Christchurch Hospital nurses walk off the job for two hours after bargaining breaks down.
5. 2 Sep 2025Union announces a two-day nationwide strike, expected to postpone thousands of procedures.
6. 4 Sep 2025Strike continues for a second consecutive day, disrupting over 13,000 surgeries and appointments.
7. 17 Sep 2025Delegates turn their backs on the Health Minister during his Wellington conference speech.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.