Articles tagged with Workforce
The Growing Economic Impact of Older Workers in New Zealand’s Workforce
2 days ago | 63 viewsThe latest Business of Ageing report reveals that older New Zealanders significantly contribute to the economy through paid work, self-employment, taxes, spending, and unpaid care, with unpaid work valued at over $20 billion annually. Workforce participation among those aged 65 and over is increasing, with projections showing the number of older workers will more than double in the next 50 years, necessitating new policies to harness their skills. The report emphasizes the importance of recognizing and supporting the economic and social roles of seniors to better adapt to an ageing population.
Tags: Casey Costello Business of Ageing New Zealand seniors older workforce unpaid work economic contribution NZIER Office for SeniorsNelson Hospital Emergency Department Expansion Boosts Care and Capacity
3 days ago | 97 viewsNelson Hospital’s emergency department has undergone a $10.6 million expansion, increasing treatment spaces from 23 to 29 and adding modern clinical areas, including fast-track zones and dedicated mental health rooms, to improve patient care and efficiency. The upgrade has enhanced patient flow, privacy, and overall experience, leading to better performance in meeting the Government’s shorter stays in ED target. Alongside infrastructure improvements, workforce capacity has been strengthened with 28 permanent full-time roles, supporting the hospital’s ongoing redevelopment to provide modern, patient-centered facilities for the community.
Tags: Nelson Hospital emergency department Simeon Brown Health Minister Health New Zealand inpatient ward clinical spaces mental health rooms workforce capacity patient careNZ Expands Cancer Infusion Services Nationwide for Faster, Local Treatment
4 days ago | 100 viewsNew Zealand is expanding community infusion services with 14 new centres and 14 expansions to provide thousands more cancer treatments closer to patients’ homes, supported by a $210 million investment from Budget 2024. This initiative responds to a 12% increase in demand, adding 218 more chair-days weekly and addressing the need for increased capacity following the introduction of 33 new cancer medicines funded by Pharmac. The government aims to improve cancer outcomes by ensuring timely, accessible treatment nationwide, while recruiting additional healthcare staff to support the expanded services through 2028.
Tags: Simeon Brown Pharmac Budget 2024 New Zealand cancer treatment infusion centres community infusion services healthcare expansion cancer care medical workforceRe-Energise 26 Report Calls for Coordinated Action to Build NZ Energy Workforce
3 weeks ago | 255 viewsThe Re-Energise 26 report highlights the urgent need for coordinated efforts to build New Zealand’s energy workforce to meet growing sector demands and avoid missed opportunities. Key challenges include workforce uncertainty, training pipeline issues, and critical role shortages, while opportunities lie in unified talent development and clearer career pathways. The government, industry, and educators must collaborate to strengthen skills, improve job connections, and support regions facing industry decline to ensure a sustainable energy sector future.
Tags: Louise Upston New Zealand Energy Resources Aotearoa Electricity Engineers’ Association Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment Social Development and Employment Minister energy workforce energy sector governmentMental Health Innovation Fund Round Three Expands Access Across New Zealand
4 weeks ago | 164 viewsThe Mental Health and Addiction Innovation Fund in New Zealand has entered its third round with changes to increase access, including revising the requirement for an independent Social Return on Investment (SROI) report to a more flexible proposal-based approach. These adjustments respond to sector feedback by lowering barriers such as matched-funding thresholds and allowing community organizations to better demonstrate outcomes while maintaining robust evaluation. With $20 million allocated over two years, the Fund aims to support grassroots initiatives that improve timely access to mental health and addiction services, protect public specialist services, and deliver scalable, evidence-based solutions.
Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Minister New Zealand Mental Health Addiction Innovation Fund Women’s Refuge Social Return on Investment Grassroots Organisations Mental Health Workforce Crisis ResponseAra Jobs and Skills Hub Celebrates 10 Years Connecting Auckland Airport to Jobs
1 month ago | 229 viewsThe Ara Jobs and Skills Hub, supported by the Ministry of Social Development for 10 years, has helped over 1,440 people into jobs and provided training to thousands within the Auckland Airport precinct. This partnership coordinates workforce planning, recruitment, and training for 800 businesses across various sectors, addressing significant workforce demands. Minister Louise Upston emphasizes the importance of this collaboration in supporting job seekers and achieving the government’s goal of reducing Jobseeker Support recipients by 50,000 by 2030.
Tags: Louise Upston Ara Jobs and Skills Hub Ministry of Social Development Auckland Airport job training workforce planning recruitment New Zealand government Jobseeker Support employmentHealth NZ Shifts Decision-Making Closer to Patients for Better Care from July 1
1 month ago | 247 viewsFrom 1 July, Health New Zealand will decentralize decision-making to regions and districts, granting them authority over workforce, budgets, and service delivery to improve responsiveness and patient care. The national body will retain responsibility for strategy, standards, and system-wide planning, ensuring a coordinated health system. These changes aim to reduce bureaucracy, empower frontline healthcare providers, and enhance access to care by making decisions closer to patients and communities.
Tags: Health New Zealand Simeon Brown healthcare hospitals patients communities workforce service delivery health system reformNew Rural Training Hub in Wairoa Boosts Frontline Health Workforce
1 month ago | 238 viewsA Rural Training Hub will be established in the Wairoa District to grow and retain frontline health workers by coordinating clinical placements, training, and support locally. This initiative, the second of four nationwide, aims to improve access to quality healthcare for rural New Zealanders by bringing education and work opportunities closer to home. The hubs will be co-designed with local communities and provide dedicated coordinators to help health workers settle and connect with local services, enhancing the rural health workforce.
Tags: Matt Doocey Wairoa District Rural Training Hub New Zealand rural health workforce South Taranaki University of Waikato Rural Medical Immersion Programme frontline health workers health worker educationHealth NZ to Employ First-Year GP Trainees Directly, Boosting Primary Care Workforce
1 month ago | 333 viewsHealth New Zealand will directly employ all first-year GP trainees to simplify their transition from hospital training and maintain continuity of employment conditions, encouraging more doctors to choose general practice. The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners will continue overseeing the training program, while the government implements initiatives such as increasing medical training places, establishing a new medical school, and funding overseas-trained doctors to strengthen the GP workforce. These changes aim to improve access to primary care by building a stronger pipeline of GPs and making general practice training more attractive and accessible.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health New Zealand Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners Auckland Medical School Otago Medical School Waikato Medical School GP trainees primary care workforce New Zealand doctors medical trainingNew Collective Agreement Secures Salary Increase for Health NZ Dietitians
1 month ago | 388 viewsAssociate Health Minister Matt Doocey has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for Health New Zealand dietitians, resulting from a successful APEX vote. The 24-month agreement includes salary increases of 2.5% in the first year and 2% in the second, along with enhanced professional membership contributions and improved terms. This agreement follows recent approvals for other health sector workforce agreements, highlighting ongoing progress in settling employment conditions.
Tags: Matt Doocey Health New Zealand dietitians Association of Professional and Executive Employees APEX collective agreement salary increase workforce agreements public health union representativesNew Collective Agreement Boosts Support and Stability for NZ Pharmacists
1 month ago | 319 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for about 300 pharmacists employed by Health New Zealand, following a vote by APEX members. The agreement recognizes pharmacists' valuable work, offers workforce stability, and includes uplifts to professional membership contributions and other improvements. This initiative aims to build a more stable and supported pharmacy workforce to ensure timely, quality care for New Zealanders.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister Health New Zealand pharmacists Association of Professionals & Executive Employees APEX collective agreement pharmacy workforce New Zealand professional membership contributionsNew Collective Agreement Boosts Support and Stability for NZ Pharmacists
1 month ago | 313 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for pharmacists employed by Health New Zealand, benefiting approximately 300 pharmacists nationwide. The agreement recognizes their valuable work, provides greater workforce stability, and supports their essential role in health service delivery. It also includes uplifts to professional membership contributions and other improvements, aiming to build a more stable and supported pharmacy workforce.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister Health New Zealand pharmacists Association of Professionals & Executive Employees APEX collective agreement pharmacy workforce New Zealand professional membership contributionsNew Collective Agreement Boosts Pay and Career Growth for NZ Psychologists
2 months ago | 443 viewsHealth Ministers Simeon Brown and Matt Doocey have welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for approximately 670 psychologists employed by Health New Zealand, following a vote by APEX members. The agreement includes pay increases of 2.5% in the first year and 2% in the second year, along with expanded professional development opportunities and a new salary step for senior expertise. This agreement aims to provide greater workforce certainty and support psychologists in delivering quality mental health care to patients nationwide.
Tags: Simeon Brown Matt Doocey Health New Zealand psychologists APEX collective agreement mental health pay increases professional pathways workforce supportNew Rural Health Training Program Boosts West Coast Workforce and Care
2 months ago | 401 viewsA new coordinated rural hospital medicine and specialist GP training programme has launched on the West Coast to strengthen the home-grown rural health workforce by increasing registrar numbers from two to three to eight to ten. The programme, accredited to deliver Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine training, offers six to twelve-month placements with strong supervision, support, and aims to retain trainees long-term by fostering community connections. This initiative aligns with the National Rural Health Strategy’s goal of ensuring accessible healthcare for all New Zealanders, particularly those in rural areas.
Tags: Simeon Brown Matt Doocey West Coast rural health workforce rural hospital medicine specialist GP training New Zealand Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine National Rural Health Strategy rural generalistsMinister Louise Upston Encourages Timaru Employers to Hire Local Jobseekers with MSD Support
2 months ago | 477 viewsMinister Louise Upston encouraged Timaru employers to prioritize hiring jobseekers and highlighted how the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) supports businesses by matching them with skilled and suitable candidates. MSD collaborates closely with local employers like Fonterra to understand their workforce needs and build trust by connecting them with ready-to-work talent from a large pool of jobseekers. She emphasized that recruitment through MSD is about unlocking potential and creating lasting opportunities, urging employers of all sizes to engage with MSD for workforce solutions.
Tags: Louise Upston Ministry of Social Development MSD Timaru Fonterra Jobseekers Employment Social Development Workforce Recruitment