A joint work programme on nurse: patient ratios

Ratios research – Establishing phase one of the ratios programme which involves developing the evidence base necessary for a sustainable and suitable culturally appropriate ratios methodology.

This work is underway.

Staffing Methodology Review 

Sitting within the Nursing Workforce Safety and Sustainability Programme, Health NZ commits to the establishment of a work programme to improve safe staffing. The work will be completed within 18 months from commencement.

The objective of the work programme is to improve the FTE calculation methodology, including by considering alternative methodologies. The review will include specific consideration of the resourcing requirements of Variance Response Management and the need to maintain a suitably flexible workforce.

This work is underway.

Nursing Workforce Safety and Sustainability Programme 

This Programme brings together a number of important pieces of work, including specific work agreed with the NZNO. Governance of the Programme will include NZNO representation. 

This will oversee the Staffing Methodology Review, EN Workplan, and Mental Health Workforce Support.

We are currently finalising the Terms of Reference for this group.

CCDM security 

Implementing the new clause which provides protection for CCDM FTE calculation methodology and implementation.

Escalation Pathway workgroup

The purpose of this workgroup is to help establish the new Escalation Pathway for resolving sustained staffing shortages (page 66 of the collective agreement). 

This group is in the process of finalising a pilot programme for the new Escalation Pathway.

Recruitment / vacancy data 

This Terms of Settlement includes a new section in the existing Healthy Workplaces Agreement (Appendix 1(b) of the Collective Agreement): Engagement on Recruitment and Vacancies. This new content refers to the sharing of ‘agreed relevant data’.

Enrolled Nurses Workplan

The National Nursing Workforce Safety and Sustainability Programme will develop an EN workplan to consider key workforce priorities.

This workgroup will get underway once the Terms of Reference for the Nursing Workforce Safety and Sustainability Programme have been finalised.

Health Care Assistant role and professional development review programme

The review will define the role of Health Care Assistants in various clinical settings and the professional development necessary to support staff to carry out this work. 

We have received a draft Terms of Reference and draft project plan for this work which we are discussing with Te Whatu Ora.

Mental Health Workforce Support

This initiative aims to address staffing challenges and ensure quality and safety across mental health services. Key workstreams include: quality and safe staffing, violence and aggression management, and recruitment and vacancy management.

This workgroup will get underway once the Terms of Reference for the Nursing Workforce Safety and Sustainability Programme have been finalised.

National Midwifery Governance Group

There will be a national group established to oversee the midwifery workforce. The Governance Group will include NZNO representation. The group will be chaired by the National Chief Midwife.

Kaupapa Māori Dispute Resolution

The parties will work together to develop a Kaupapa Māori Dispute Resolution Policy. Upon completion the policy will apply to those covered by the NZNO CA. The work of the parties will include the advice and guidance of culturally appropriate experts. The parties will support development of this policy and agree to finalising development within 12 months of settlement. 

Implementation of the pay rates in the new Collective Agreement. 

Amend the salary rates to reflect the increases agreed in bargaining.

NZNO has raised concerns with Te Whatu Ora about potential delays and this has resulted in Te Whatu Ora looking for ways to speed up implementation of these payments. 

Tikanga Māori Putea Allowance

The PSA Allied Health, Public Health, Scientific and Technical Collective Agreement (APHST CA) provides for an entitlement to a Tikanga Māori Putea Allowance (the Allowance). NZNO members covered by the NZNO Nursing and Midwifery collective agreement will become entitled to access the Allowance from 2 March 2026. 

Implementation of the new maximum on-call provision addressing unreasonable on-call requirements.

Where either party identifies fatigue as a risk or that the number of hours the employee(s) are required to work on-call is unreasonable due to the design or intensity of an on-call roster, the employer and NZNO shall review the roster. The employer will take all reasonably practicable steps to develop and apply mitigations. The review may include support from OHS. 

Implementation of the new DAO allowance which has been raised to $3,500.

From 2 March 2026 employees who are designated as Duly Authorised Officers shall receive a $3,500 annual allowance (prorata for part time staff) payable fortnightly. Those employees already in receipt of a higher allowance as at 1 September 2021 will be entitled to continue to receive the higher allowance.

Implementation of the new shift co-ordination provision.

From 14 August 2023 an allowance of $24 per shift will be payable to a registered nurse, registered midwife or enrolled nurse where they meet the conditions in 10.3.1 of the CA.