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Scoop
20-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Budget 2025 – What Vote Health Needs Just To Stay Afloat
Press Release – Association of Salaried Medical Specialists 'Year on year specialists in our public hospitals are being asked to do more and more,' says ASMS policy director Harriet Wild. Budget 2025 will need to include $2 billion in additional operational funding this year just for the public health system to stand still. 'Year on year specialists in our public hospitals are being asked to do more and more,' says ASMS policy director Harriet Wild. 'If we do not see this level of investment as a minimum it just means the Government is choosing to dig their own hole that much deeper. Again in 12-months' time they will gamble on the future of our public health system again, knowing they have made the odds that much worse.' Two billion dollars is the increase required to meet health cost pressures (which run higher than general inflation) including changes in pricing, volumes, and inflation, as well as the increased need created by a growing and ageing population. New Zealand's population is growing by 1.3% annually. New Zealand's population is also ageing. Almost three-quarters of total life-long healthcare costs occur in the last three years of life. Census data shows 1 in 6 people were aged 65 and older in 2023, this is projected to be 1 in 5 by 2033. The need for hospital-based acute care is also increasing. Acute discharges in public hospital increased by 28% between 2014 and 2023. Almost 1.3 million people attended an Emergency Department in 2022/23, a 22.5% increase since 2013/14. Over the same period, the population increased by 16%. Two billion dollars will not remedy decades of underfunding of New Zealand's health system. New Zealand's total health expenditure (public and private) as a proportion of GDP has remained well below comparable countries for many years. Prior to Covid-19, New Zealand spent 9% of GDP on health, while countries including Australia, Canada, The Netherlands and Sweden spent an average 10.7%. The New Zealand Health Survey shows significant volume of unmet health need also remains in our community, with 1.86 million adults experiencing an unmet need for dental care due to cost. 464,000 adults have an unmet need for mental health or addiction services – an increase of 3.3% since 2023. While investing in primary care will make people healthier overall, it will also generate more cost for our hospitals as unmet need for secondary care is identified by those primary care providers. $1.43 billion was allocated to meet health sector cost pressures (demographic changes, price and wage increases) in the 2023-4 Budget. However, when appearing before health select committee during Scrutiny Week in March 2024, Te Whatu Ora officials acknowledged this fell short of what was required.
Scoop
20-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Budget 2025 - What Vote Health Needs Just To Stay Afloat
Budget 2025 will need to include $2 billion in additional operational funding this year just for the public health system to stand still. "Year on year specialists in our public hospitals are being asked to do more and more," says ASMS policy director Harriet Wild. "If we do not see this level of investment as a minimum it just means the Government is choosing to dig their own hole that much deeper. Again in 12-months' time they will gamble on the future of our public health system again, knowing they have made the odds that much worse." Two billion dollars is the increase required to meet health cost pressures (which run higher than general inflation) including changes in pricing, volumes, and inflation, as well as the increased need created by a growing and ageing population. New Zealand's population is growing by 1.3% annually. New Zealand's population is also ageing. Almost three-quarters of total life-long healthcare costs occur in the last three years of life. Census data shows 1 in 6 people were aged 65 and older in 2023, this is projected to be 1 in 5 by 2033. The need for hospital-based acute care is also increasing. Acute discharges in public hospital increased by 28% between 2014 and 2023. Almost 1.3 million people attended an Emergency Department in 2022/23, a 22.5% increase since 2013/14. Over the same period, the population increased by 16%. Two billion dollars will not remedy decades of underfunding of New Zealand's health system. New Zealand's total health expenditure (public and private) as a proportion of GDP has remained well below comparable countries for many years. Prior to Covid-19, New Zealand spent 9% of GDP on health, while countries including Australia, Canada, The Netherlands and Sweden spent an average 10.7%. The New Zealand Health Survey shows significant volume of unmet health need also remains in our community, with 1.86 million adults experiencing an unmet need for dental care due to cost. 464,000 adults have an unmet need for mental health or addiction services - an increase of 3.3% since 2023. While investing in primary care will make people healthier overall, it will also generate more cost for our hospitals as unmet need for secondary care is identified by those primary care providers. $1.43 billion was allocated to meet health sector cost pressures (demographic changes, price and wage increases) in the 2023-4 Budget. However, when appearing before health select committee during Scrutiny Week in March 2024, Te Whatu Ora officials acknowledged this fell short of what was required.
Scoop
06-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
New Charity Welcomes Private Bill To Set Minimum Age Of 16 To Access Social Media
Press Release – B4-16 A newly established charity dedicated to improving online safety for children is welcoming the Government's announcement this morning that a private member's bill has been introduced to set a minimum age of 16 to access social media. B4-16 (Before 16) is a non-partisan, independent group of parents, public health experts and business leaders who have been advocating for greater online protection for children, saying New Zealand is falling behind comparable countries in protecting children from online harm. Today's announcement follows Australia's groundbreaking move in November last year to introduce the world's first age restriction for under-16s on social media, requiring platforms to take 'reasonable steps' to prevent underage use. B4-16 is urging New Zealand policymakers to follow suit with a recent Horizon poll revealing 74% of adults support setting an age limit for social media access for children. 'Children need to be tech-savvy to thrive in today's digital world – digital literacy is 100% essential. But social media is a different beast. It's designed to be addictive, persuasive, and often exposes young minds to harmful content and pressures they're not developmentally ready to handle. 'Delaying access for children doesn't mean denying technology. It just means we're giving Kiwi kids time to build resilience, critical thinking, and emotional maturity before we open the gates to an environment that is built for adult engagement,' says B4-16 co-Chair Cecilia Robinson. While Australia, the UK, the EU and the US have introduced legislation to regulate social media and shield young people from online harm, New Zealand has not followed suit. Unlike Australia – which has an independent eSafety Commissioner with powers to investigate harm, enforce standards, and hold platforms accountable – New Zealand has no dedicated regulator. 'At the moment, we put Big Tech first. We need a system that puts our children first,' says Dr Samantha Marsh, a public health researcher with the University of Auckland, and B4-16 advisor. 'It's time for a truly independent regulatory body with the power to protect our children. Social media is harmful in a variety of ways, but particularly for young children. Education alone doesn't change behaviour – regulation is needed,' says Marsh. A growing body of international evidence shows that social media is a high-risk environment for children's mental health, emotional wellbeing, and cognitive development. 'At Outward Bound, I've seen first-hand the positive impact on teens' mental resilience when they step away from social media for days and weeks at a time. If we can protect growing brains and bodies for longer from addictive and harmful algorithms, we will be a better society for it. There is so much at stake,' said B4-16 's Malindi Maclean who is also tumuaki CEO of Outward Bound New Zealand. The Ministry of Health's latest New Zealand Health Survey revealed the number of 15–24 year olds in high or very high psychological distress increased by 400% for the eleven year period to 2023. Studies consistently link social media use with anxiety, depression, disordered eating, sleep disruption, and poor academic outcomes. In 2023, Youthline's State of the Generation Report found that 75% of young people believed mental health was the biggest issue they face, and half of all young people in Aotearoa said social media was a major issue for them. B416 says it's a complex issue which is too big for parents to manage on their own. 'We've got strong research showing social media is harmful, that it's structurally changing our children's brains – and it's doing it at scale,' said Marsh. 'It's a public health issue that requires regulation. New Zealand has laws to protect our children from smoking and alcohol and we need to do the same for social media.' A 2024 Horizon Research poll found that 74% of New Zealanders support a legal age restriction for social media, with 83% concerned about harmful and inappropriate content online. In its report, Meeting the Mental Health needs of young New Zealanders, the Office for the Auditor-General also raised concerns about rising levels of mental distress among young people aged 12-24. It estimated that mental illness costs New Zealand about 5% of gross domestic product annually – more than $20b. B4-16 says the campaign presents a clear opportunity for cross-party action and is seeking government-wide support for regulation. B4-16 is calling for: legislation to set a minimum age of 16 to access social media platforms the implementation of stronger 'age assurance' systems for age verification a dedicated online safety regulator who is responsible for protecting children and young people from online harm, and has enforceable powers
Scoop
05-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
New Charity Welcomes Private Bill To Set Minimum Age Of 16 To Access Social Media
A newly established charity dedicated to improving online safety for children is welcoming the Government's announcement this morning that a private member's bill has been introduced to set a minimum age of 16 to access social media. B4-16 (Before 16) is a non-partisan, independent group of parents, public health experts and business leaders who have been advocating for greater online protection for children, saying New Zealand is falling behind comparable countries in protecting children from online harm. Today's announcement follows Australia's groundbreaking move in November last year to introduce the world's first age restriction for under-16s on social media, requiring platforms to take 'reasonable steps' to prevent underage use. B4-16 is urging New Zealand policymakers to follow suit with a recent Horizon poll revealing 74% of adults support setting an age limit for social media access for children. 'Children need to be tech-savvy to thrive in today's digital world - digital literacy is 100% essential. But social media is a different beast. It's designed to be addictive, persuasive, and often exposes young minds to harmful content and pressures they're not developmentally ready to handle. 'Delaying access for children doesn't mean denying technology. It just means we're giving Kiwi kids time to build resilience, critical thinking, and emotional maturity before we open the gates to an environment that is built for adult engagement,' says B4-16 co-Chair Cecilia Robinson. While Australia, the UK, the EU and the US have introduced legislation to regulate social media and shield young people from online harm, New Zealand has not followed suit. Unlike Australia – which has an independent eSafety Commissioner with powers to investigate harm, enforce standards, and hold platforms accountable – New Zealand has no dedicated regulator. 'At the moment, we put Big Tech first. We need a system that puts our children first,' says Dr Samantha Marsh, a public health researcher with the University of Auckland, and B4-16 advisor. 'It's time for a truly independent regulatory body with the power to protect our children. Social media is harmful in a variety of ways, but particularly for young children. Education alone doesn't change behaviour – regulation is needed," says Marsh. A growing body of international evidence shows that social media is a high-risk environment for children's mental health, emotional wellbeing, and cognitive development. 'At Outward Bound, I've seen first-hand the positive impact on teens' mental resilience when they step away from social media for days and weeks at a time. If we can protect growing brains and bodies for longer from addictive and harmful algorithms, we will be a better society for it. There is so much at stake,' said B4-16 's Malindi Maclean who is also tumuaki CEO of Outward Bound New Zealand. The Ministry of Health's latest New Zealand Health Survey revealed the number of 15–24 year olds in high or very high psychological distress increased by 400% for the eleven year period to 2023. Studies consistently link social media use with anxiety, depression, disordered eating, sleep disruption, and poor academic outcomes. In 2023, Youthline's State of the Generation Report found that 75% of young people believed mental health was the biggest issue they face, and half of all young people in Aotearoa said social media was a major issue for them. B416 says it's a complex issue which is too big for parents to manage on their own. 'We've got strong research showing social media is harmful, that it's structurally changing our children's brains – and it's doing it at scale,' said Marsh. 'It's a public health issue that requires regulation. New Zealand has laws to protect our children from smoking and alcohol and we need to do the same for social media.' A 2024 Horizon Research poll found that 74% of New Zealanders support a legal age restriction for social media, with 83% concerned about harmful and inappropriate content online. In its report, Meeting the Mental Health needs of young New Zealanders, the Office for the Auditor-General also raised concerns about rising levels of mental distress among young people aged 12-24. It estimated that mental illness costs New Zealand about 5% of gross domestic product annually – more than $20b. B4-16 says the campaign presents a clear opportunity for cross-party action and is seeking government-wide support for regulation. B4-16 is calling for: legislation to set a minimum age of 16 to access social media platforms the implementation of stronger 'age assurance' systems for age verification a dedicated online safety regulator who is responsible for protecting children and young people from online harm, and has enforceable powers
Scoop
30-04-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Statement On Behalf Of The PHO Caucus*: PHO Services Agreement Amendment Protocol
Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) welcome the opportunity to enter negotiations with Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora, regarding increases to general practice funding for the next financial year (commencing July 1 2025). In recent years increases to funding for services covered by the PHO Services Agreement have been subject to compulsory variation, after being rejected by both PHOs and Contracted Provider representatives as being inadequate. The PHO Caucus is embarking on negotiations which begin tomorrow (1 May) in good faith, and welcomes the commitment on the part of Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora to conduct a transparent, collaborative and high trust process. The PHO Caucus is mindful of the fiscal environment and Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora's current deficit, but is pleased to see the Government's recent recognition of primary care as the cornerstone of the health system, and the need to invest in improving access to general practice. Consequently, we expect the funding uplift for the coming financial year to address cost pressures on general practice, without further shifting of costs to patients through increased co-payments. General practice capitation funding has not kept pace with those cost pressures over many years. The Sapere report ( found that general practice needed $138m just to stand still, based on 2022 figures, and the gap between funding and costs has widened since then. Last year, Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora processes confirmed that practice costs had increased by 5.88%, but capitation funding was increased by just 4%, leaving the gap to be covered by increases in patient fees, which have increased by an average of 10% over the past year. The New Zealand Health Survey told us that one in six people were delaying or missing out on general practice consultations because of cost, even before those fees increases took effect. This also adds even more pressure to the hospital system, as people become sicker or seek care from emergency departments. The Sapere report – which had broad political support - drew attention to the need to overhaul the outdated capitation model, which does not recognise the multiple factors impacting utilisation and need in general practice. Over the past year significant work has gone into development of a revised model that would take more account of factors such as rurality, ethnicity, deprivation and complexity, enabling funding to be targeted better at those who need it most. This critical capitation 'reweighting' presents a unique opportunity to reset funding for general practice and support the shared objectives of improving access to general practice for the people of New Zealand. In parallel with this year's negotiations, we expect to see urgent progress on refinement and implementation of that revised funding model, informed by sector experts who best understand general practice and clinical need. *The PHO Caucus is comprised of representatives of Primary Health Organisations (PHOs) who are party to the PHO Services Agreement (Primary Health Organisation Services Agreement – Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora). Other parties in the negotiations are Contracted Providers – representatives from general practice who enter a 'back to back agreement' to provide services under the PHO Services Agreement - and Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora
