Member meetings and ratification ballot
A proposed Terms of Settlement offer was received on 20 April from Te Whatu Ora to settle your Collective Agreement. This is the first formal offer that has been received from Te Whatu Ora since May 2025. It followed a week of engagement and bargaining. It is now time for members to collectively make the decision about whether the offer is accepted or rejected through a ratification ballot.
- Briefings for delegates about the offer will get underway shortly.
- Member meetings in person and online to discuss the offer to get underway from 30 April. Scroll down for the meeting schedule.
- An online ratification ballot to be held from 11 May closing at 5pm on 15 May.
Download information about the proposed Terms of Settlement offer
Members can now download and view the following:
- A headline summary of the proposed Terms of Settlement offer (prepared by NZNO)
- The complete Terms of Settlement
- The proposed Collective Agreement with Tracked Changes
FAQs about the May 2026 offer
-
Will casuals get the lump sum?
No. The lump sum payment is calculated on contractual FTE.
-
What are the new commitments on CCDM and how do we intend to hold them to it given they’ve ridden roughshod over us in the safe staffing space in the last two years?
The offer includes a new clause in our collective agreement about the CCDM programme. This clause guarantees that the CCDM FTE calculation methodology will not be discontinued or changed without NZNO’s agreement. This is an important step, particularly given the ‘pause' that was put on these calculations in October 2024. The clause will provide for transparency of decision making. Once the local council, which involves NZNO delegates and staff makes a recommendation on FTE, any changes to those figures will be reported back. This transparency supports NZNO for any action necessary to enforce Te Whatu Ora’s existing obligation to ensure that there are sufficient staff available.
- Do the "nurse-to-patient" ratios include HCAs too?
Yes - Will backpay be paid from the 2 March date (if a yes vote)?
Yes -
What are the next steps after the ratification ballot?
Members will decide whether to accept or reject Te Whatu Ora’s offer. If the offer is accepted, Te Whatu Ora will start implementation. They have agreed to work with NZNO on speedy implementation. NZNO has also been planning for the continued campaign if the offer is rejected. If this occurs, members will be provided with the next steps in our campaign when the members decision is announced. As with all aspects of our campaign, members will make the decision to approve next steps.
- How does the bargaining fee work?
In the ratification ballot members will also vote on whether there should be a bargaining fee. The bargaining fee is paid by employees of Te Whatu Ora who are not members of a union, but who benefit from the conditions we negotiate through our collective bargaining. If the bargaining fee ballot and is successful, the bargaining fee is paid by those non-union employees. The bargaining fee is set at the same rate as NZNO membership fees. - How long is the bargaining fee paid?
The bargaining fee would be in place until the expiry date of the proposed collective agreement (31 October 2027). -
Is Kiwisaver a claim we asked for which was a request from members?
Yes – it was not agreed by Te Whatu Ora.
- Are non-union members getting same increase?
Yes non-members get the same pay rates but are potentially subject to the bargaining fee (set at the same rate as NZNO membership). -
When will the collective agreement take effect, if ratified?
The majority of the collective agreement would apply from 1 March, with the pay increases from 2 March.Te Whatu Ora have also agreed to work with us to ensure the collective agreement is efficiently implemented in reasonable timeframes.
-
Are ex staff members or staff who change roles eligible for a portion of the lump sum payment and any back pay?
embers who are employed by Te Whatu Ora at the date of ratification will be entitled to the lump sum and any relevant back pay based on their employment at that date.
Member meeting schedule
In-person meetings will be held across the motu. Meeting details will be added below as they are confirmed.
| Kaitāia | 5 May | 2pm | Whānau house Titi (shed) |
| 6 May | 2pm | ||
| Whangārei | 5 May | 9:45am | Second Floor Conference room - Whangarei Hospital |
| 7 May | 2:15pm | ||
| 7 May | 3:15pm | ||
| 8 May | 9:45am | ||
| 13 May | 3:30pm | Commerce Street - Tawa Room | |
| Dargaville | 4 May | 2pm | Ward Meeting room |
| Auckland - North Shore Hospital | 6 May | 10:30am | Locations TBC |
| 6 May | 3pm | ||
| 7 May | 10:30am | ||
| 7 May | 3pm | ||
| 8 May | 10:30am | ||
| 8 May | 3pm | ||
| Auckland -Waitākere Hospital | 6 May | 3:30pm | Kawakawa Room |
| 7 May | 3:30pm | Matepo/Manuka Rooms | |
| 8 May | 3:30pm | Korari Room | |
| Auckland Hospital | 4 May | 3:30pm | Neurology room, Auckland City Hospital, Level 5 |
| 6 May | 3:30pm | Marion Davis Lecture Hall (Top Floor) | |
| 7 May | 3:30pm | Neurology room, Auckland City Hospital, Level 5 | |
| 11 May | 3:30pm | Neurology room, Auckland City Hospital, Level 5 | |
| 14 May | 3:30pm | Level 9 Lecture Theatre, Auckland City Hospital | |
| Auckland -Starship Hospital | 4 May | 3:30pm | Level 3, Auckland City Hospital, Building A02 |
| 12 May | 3:30pm | Starship Seminar Room, Level 3 (Opposite Huhu Grub) | |
| Auckland -Greenlane Clinic | 7 May | 3:30pm | Marie Hosking |
| 13 May | 3:30pm | Liggins Theatre | |
| Auckland -Middlemore Hospital | 7 May | 10am | Ko Awatea LT 3 |
| 11am | |||
| 2pm | |||
| 3pm | |||
| 8 May | 10am | ||
| 11am | |||
| Auckland -Manukau Health Park | 8 May | 1pm | MHP Conference Room |
| 2:15pm | MHP Theatre Tea Room | ||
| Hamilton | 4 May
|
8am | BEC Auditorium, Waikato Hospital |
| 8:30am | |||
| 10am | |||
| 12pm | |||
| 12:30pm | |||
| 1pm | |||
| 2pm | |||
| 3pm | |||
| 3:30pm | |||
| Tokoroa | 4 May | Will attend online | |
| Taumarunui | 4 May | Will attend online | |
| Te Kuiti | 4 May | Will attend online | |
| Thames | 7 May | 10am | Education Room in the old Nurses Home |
| 11am | |||
| 12pm | |||
| 1pm | |||
| 2pm | |||
| Tauranga | 5 May | 3:30pm | Nikau Room |
| 6 May | 2pm | Nikau Room | |
| 7 May | 3pm | District Nurse Team only: Jacaranda Meeting Room | |
| 8 May | 12pm | Nikau Room | |
| 1:30pm | |||
| Whakatāne | 7 May | 1.30pm | Surgical Meeting Room |
| 2pm | |||
| 2.30pm | |||
| 3pm | |||
| 3.30pm | |||
| Rotorua | 5 May | 10am-12pm | CSB Conference Room |
| 1-3pm | |||
| Taupō | 6 May | 10:30am | Conference Meeting Room (Library) |
| 1:30pm | |||
| Gisborne | 7 May | 11am | Mauri Hiko Room - Onsite |
| 4:30pm | |||
| Hawkes Bay | 12 May | 10:30am | Auditorium Education Centre |
| 12 May | 2pm | ||
| 13 May | 2:30-4pm | ||
| Hāwera | 5 May | 1pm | Hawera Hospital Conference Room |
| New Plymouth | 6 May | 10am | Taranaki Base Hospital L3 Education Centre |
| 6 May | 1pm | ||
| 7 May | 10am | ||
| Whanganui | 5 May | 11am | Rimu Room - Te Whare Toi (Education Centre) |
| 1:30pm | |||
| 3:30pm | |||
| Palmerston North | 8 May | 9:30am | Palmerston North Hospital Laurie McCool Centre |
| 8 May | 1:30pm | ||
| 11 May | 2:30pm | ||
| Lower Hutt | 6 May | 7:30am | Room 2 Learning Centre |
| 8:30am | |||
| 9:30am | |||
| 10:30am | |||
| 11:30am | |||
| 7 May | 12pm | ||
| 1pm | ICU Meeting Room | ||
| 2pm | |||
| 3pm | |||
| Kenepuru Hospital | 30 April | 3pm | Tāwhirimātea unit Ratonga-Rua-o-Porirua campus |
| 4 May |
10am | Morepork Room Kenepuru Hospital | |
| 11am | |||
| 2:30pm | |||
| 6 May | 3pm | Community nurses | |
| 12 May | 9:30pm | Morepork Room Kenepuru Hospital | |
| 12 May | 10:30pm | ||
| 13 May | 2:30pm | Piwakawaka Room Kenepuru Hospital | |
| Wellington | 5 May
|
9am | Rm: UOW Nordmeyer Lecture Theatre, WRH, Otago Uni |
| 10am | |||
| 11am | |||
| 6 May
|
9am | ||
| 10am | |||
| 11am | |||
| 12 May
|
7:30am | ||
| 8:30am | |||
| 9:30am | |||
| 13 May
|
9am | ||
| 10am | |||
| 10:30am | |||
| 11am | |||
| 12:30pm | |||
| 1:30pm | |||
| 2:30pm | |||
| 3:30pm | |||
| Wairarapa | 13 May | 7:30am | AT&R Meeting Room |
| 12pm | |||
| 3:30pm | Training Centre | ||
| Nelson | 4 May | 2pm | GML4 Meeting Room, Level 4 Corridor |
| 3pm | |||
| 3.30pm | |||
| 6 May | 11.30am | Medical Outpatients Meeting Room Level 4 | |
| 12pm | |||
| 12.30pm | |||
| Richmond | 12 May | 2pm | Richmond Health Hub, Te Tāwharau Meeting Room 2 |
| Blenheim | 5 May | 10am | Meeting Room 1, Wairau Hospital |
| 11am | |||
| 1pm | |||
| 7 May | 11.30am | Seminar Room, Wairau Hospital | |
| 12.30pm | |||
| 2.30pm | District Nurses Rooms, Health Hub, Blenheim | ||
| Kaikoura Hospital | 6 May | 11am | To be advised |
| Murchison | 7 May | 10am | Murchison Health Centre |
| Greymouth | 7 May | 2pm | Te Nīkau Hospital, Corporate Board Room |
| 3pm | |||
| 3.30pm | |||
| 8 May | 10am | ||
| 10.30am | |||
| Buller | 8 May | 1:30pm | Buller Health Meeting Room 2 |
| 2pm | |||
| Christchurch | 4 May | 1.30pm | Christchurch Hospital - Waipapa Ground Floor Rm 1 |
| 1.30pm | Burwood Hospital - Chapel | ||
| 3pm | Christchurch Hospital - Great Escape Lounge | ||
| 4pm | Burwood Hospital - BWD 2.3 A&B | ||
| 10.15pm | Burwood Hospital - BWD 2.3 A&B | ||
| 5 May | 10am | Christchurch Hospital - Waipapa Lower Ground Rm 7 A&B | |
| 12pm | Christchurch Hospital - Waipapa Level 4 Rm 1 A&B | ||
| 1.30pm | Burwood Hospital - BWD 2.3 A&B | ||
| 2pm | Christchurch Hospital - Waipapa Lower Ground Rm 7 A&B | ||
| 4pm | Burwood Hospital - BWD 2.3 A&B | ||
| 6 May | 7am | Hillmorton - SMHS Wahi Hui 1,2,3,4 Building 15 | |
| 10am | Hillmorton - SMHS Wahi Hui 1; SMHS Wahi Hui 2; SMHS Wahi Hui 3 – Building 15 | ||
| 10am | Christchurch Hospital - Great Escape Lounge | ||
| 2pm | Christchurch Hospital - Waipapa Ground Floor Rm 1 | ||
| 2pm | Hillmorton - ACS Meeting Room 3; ACS Meeting Room 4 Building 15 | ||
| 4pm | Hillmorton - ACS Meeting Room 3; ACS Meeting Room 4 Building 15 | ||
| 7 May | 10am | Hillmorton - AIS Training Room Building 2 | |
| 12pm | Hillmorton - ACS Meeting Room 1; ACS Meeting Room 2 Building 15 | ||
| 2pm | Hillmorton - ACS Meeting Room 1; ACS Meeting Room 2 Building 15 | ||
| Ashburton | 4 May | 2pm | Ashburton Hospital - Chapel |
| 3pm | Ashburton Hospital - Chapel | ||
| Timaru | 4 May | 7pm | Timaru Hospital - Chapel |
| 5 May | 11am | ||
| 2pm | |||
| 3:30pm | |||
| Ōamaru | 4 May | 2pm | Waitaki Training Room (Ward), Oamaru Hospital |
| 3:15pm | |||
| Queenstown | 6 May | 4pm | Harris Lounge at LDH Hospital |
| Dunedin | 5 May | 2pm | Dunedin Hospital - Barnett Lecture Theatre |
| 3pm | |||
| 6 May | 2pm | ||
| 3pm | |||
| 7 May | 11:30am | Wakari Hospital - Main block boardroom 2nd floor | |
| 1:30pm | Wakari Hospital - Games room 2nd floor, Helensburgh House | ||
| Invercargill | 30 April | 2pm | Southland Hospital - Clinical Admin Room |
| 3:30pm |
National online meeting schedule
Meeting links will be emailed to NZNO members.
| Online meetings | 4 May | 1:30pm |
| 5 May | 11.00am | |
| 1.30pm | ||
| 4.30pm | ||
| 6 May | 11.00am | |
| 1.30pm | ||
| 4.30pm | ||
| 7 May | 1.30pm | |
| 4.30pm | ||
| 8 May | 1.30pm |
Why the member meetings are important
Collective bargaining is a democratic, member-led process. It's important that members are well-informed leading into the online ratification vote. At the meetings there will be the opportunity for members to discuss the offer that has been received, as well as to consider next steps. It's critical that there are high levels of member engagement in both the meetings and the ratification ballot that will follow.
Your right to attend
Te Whatu Ora has been notified that NZNO members will be attending union meetings from 30 April. In accordance with the Code of Good Faith for the Public Health Sector, our expectation is that Te Whatu Ora managers will work with members / delegates to ensure all union members can be released to attend a meeting and that the employer’s business can continue.