New Zealand Nurses Organisation
31 October 2007
Nurses Organisation Looks Forward Positive Relationship With New Minister
The New Zealand Nurses Organisation acknowledges outgoing Minister of Health Pete Hodgson and welcomes David Cunliffe to
this important portfolio.
“Former Health Minister Pete Hodgson has been a positive force in Health.” says NZNO CEO Geoff Annals. “Minister Hodgson
made investment in the nursing workforce a priority for the Labour-led Government. Of particular note has been the
establishment, under unique union/DHB shared governance, of a unit to implement the joint NZNO / DHB recommendations on
nurse and midwife staffing.”
Important inroads have also been made under Minister Hodgson into the chronic low pay in the Aged Care sector that has
stifled the delivery of decent aged care services.
“Health is an easy target for critics but the fact is New Zealand’s public health services and the health outcomes they
achieve rate very well on international comparison,” says Geoff Annals.
NZNO welcomes David Cunliffe and looks forward to working with him to continue the advancement of the challenging but
crucial health portfolio.
ENDS