New Zealand Nurses Accept Pay Offer

The New Zealand Nurses Organisation’s roughly 38,000 members voted to accept a collective agreement with Te Whatu Ora after nearly two years of negotiations. The agreement provides for a 2.5 percent salary increase in the first year and a 2 percent increase in the second. Nurses at the top of the pay scale will receive a $2000 salary adjustment.

Senior designated nurses will receive a $1300 lump sum payment, while all other members will receive $1000. The agreement also increases allowances, including a $6000 annual professional development allowance for nurse practitioners. Te Whatu Ora and the union will jointly develop a Safe Patient Care Statement of Intent.

Delegate Dawn Barrett acknowledged that a significant number of members initially rejected the offer but continued to support the union’s goals. The organization now plans to research nurse-to-patient ratios and integrate Te Tiriti commitments into their work.