Health

people and communities

Newborns, cancer patients suffer as Govt leaves health jobs empty

The Green Party is calling for the Government to direct Te Whatū Ora to fill vacant roles in healthcare services as quickly as possible, and to fund them to do so.“The PSA provided damning evidence that the Minister of Health has knowingly weaponised the bureaucracy to slow the recruitment of health workers as a cost saving measure," says Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson. “The refusal to invest in our frontline health services means Te Whatū Ora are deliberately delaying filling...

Posted at August 19, 2026 3:34 PM by Marama Davidson

services and systems

New Report shows free dental service would cost less than current system

A new report from Dental for All confirms that New Zealand can afford a free, universal public dental service, the Green Party says.“This report confirms the cost of bringing dental care into the public health system is far less than the fiscal, social, and economic cost of the current system,” says Green Party Health spokesperson Hūhana Lyndon. “Keeping dental care unaffordable and out of the public healthcare system increases costs by forcing people to work in pain, not work at all,...

Posted at April 23, 2026 3:41 PM by Hūhana Lyndon

services and systems

Govt’s private hospital contracts little more than Band-Aid

The Government’s directive to give private hospitals 10-year outsourcing contracts to perform elective surgeries is yet another step down the path of privatisation in our healthcare system.“This is a clear signal from this Government that they have no intention, now or in the future, to properly resource a strong, publicly delivered system,” says the Green Party’s Co-Leader, Marama Davidson. “Our communities across the motu understand the value of a system built on equity, access, and care – not profit. “We...

Posted at June 17, 2025 10:13 AM by Marama Davidson

services and systems

NZ’s Public Health system dealt yet another blow

This morning’s announcement by the Health Minister regarding a major overhaul of the public health sector levels yet another blow to the country’s essential services.“Our health system is falling victim to a slow death by a thousand cuts,” says Green Party Health spokesperson Hūhana Lyndon. “All New Zealanders deserve a strong, robust public health system that is funded to spec, and able to provide high-quality, timely health services to all who need it. “This Government has shown nothing but disdain...

Posted at March 07, 2025 12:59 PM by Hūhana Lyndon

services and systems

Report highlights urgent need for “life-changing” free dental care

ActionStation’s Oral Healthcare report, released today, paints a dire picture of unmet need and inequality across the country, highlighting the urgency of free dental care for all New Zealanders. “Quality dental care isn’t a luxury, it’s a human right. It’s time we treat it like one,” says Green Party co-leader Hon Marama Davidson. “For decades, successive governments have chosen to exclude dental care from the public health system. This is a political choice–and different choices can be made. No one...

Posted at February 25, 2025 9:34 AM by Marama Davidson

services and systems

Covid Inquiry report underlines need to invest in Health

The Green Party says the report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Covid-19 Response underlines the need for proper investment in our health system so we are prepared for future pandemics. “We need to support our health system so it’s in a position to support our communities through any future pandemics,” says the Green Party Health Spokesperson Hūhana Lyndon. “Any future pandemic response must put the health of our people first. It is also essential that we provide our...

Posted at November 28, 2024 4:26 PM by Hūhana Lyndon

services and systems

End of free RAT tests means more exposure to virus

The end of free Rapid Antigen Tests today is another sign the Government is giving up on the challenge of protecting the community from Covid-19.“We cannot afford to become complacent with Covid, testing is a tool that should remain accessible to all,” says the Green Party’s Health spokesperson, Hūhana Lyndon. “Testing is critical to protection, alerting people when they have Covid and when they should avoid interacting with others. It’s one of the most effective things we can do to...

Posted at September 30, 2024 2:52 PM by Hūhana Lyndon

services and systems

Greens stand in solidarity with Buller community

The Green Party stands in solidarity with the Buller community in its silent protest for better healthcare. “Healthcare is a human right that we cannot afford to see our communities miss out on,” says the Green Party’s Health spokesperson, Hūhana Lyndon. “Our country has enough to ensure everyone has access to the healthcare they need, whenever they need it, wherever they need it - it comes down to choices. This Government is choosing to underinvest in our health system at the...

Posted at September 28, 2024 8:29 AM by Hūhana Lyndon

services and systems

A step forward on cancer drug funding but more to do

The Green Party welcomes the announcement of more funding for cancer treatments and medicines, however, calls for more to be done to address the severe health inequities that come with cancer.  “Today’s announcement is welcome news, however, there remains much to do in ensuring everyone has the care and support they need when facing cancer,” says the Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson. “We know that not everyone in Aotearoa has access to support - far from it. We also know that...

Posted at June 24, 2024 4:40 PM by Marama Davidson

services and systems

Scrapping Māori Health Authority tramples over Te Tiriti o Waitangi

The Green Party condemns the Government’s latest trashing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in rushing through legislation, without any public input, that will see Te Aka Whai Ora scrapped and the health of Māori neglected. “Disbanding Te Aka Whai Ora will have devastating and lasting impacts on the health and well-being of tangata whenua. Rushing this legislation through the House without public input and before the Waitangi Tribunal’s Urgent Inquiry into the matter is a subversion of our democracy and another...

Posted at February 27, 2024 3:43 PM by Hūhana Lyndon

services and systems

Cruel move to put tobacco profit over people’s health

Sacrificing the health of our rangatahi to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy few is a deeply cynical move and shows this Government is more influenced by lobbyists than evidence.“This National, Act and New Zealand First Government will go down in history as one of the most harmful, anti-evidence governments New Zealand has ever had. There is simply no defencece for prioritising tobacco profit over the health of people,” says the Green Party’s health spokesperson, Hūhana Lyndon.  “Good health...

Posted at December 13, 2023 2:21 PM by Hūhana Lyndon

services and systems

Only the Green Party will deliver free dental care for all

With more Green MPs we can build on Labour’s announcement today and make dental care free for everyone.“With a strong Green voice we can be bolder and provide free dental to everyone, paid for with a wealth tax,” says Green Party health spokesperson Ricardo Menéndez March. “Everybody in Aotearoa should be able to go to the dentist when they need to. But we know that for far too many Kiwis that it is just too expensive. “The current dental care...

Posted at September 02, 2023 2:20 PM by Ricardo Menéndez March

services and systems

Greens release dental stories collection

The Green Party has today released a collection of stories showing exactly why dental care should be free in Aotearoa. “We put the call out for people to tell us their stories. What we heard was dire, but not surprising. This is exactly why we have promised to make dental care free for everyone,” says Green Party health spokesperson Ricardo Menéndez March. “The failure of successive governments to include dental care in the public health system has pushed some people...

Posted at August 10, 2023 3:10 PM by Ricardo Menéndez March

services and systems

Marama Davidson Free Dental for All Speech

Ata mārie and welcome. Let me start by saying a massive thank you to all of you for being here today. I know you’re here because you want to change Aotearoa for the better. You know that Aotearoa can be a country where everyone has enough to cover the weekly shop and a warm, dry place to live. You just want a government with the courage to make it happen.  A few weeks ago, the Green Party announced our Income Guarantee....

Posted at August 06, 2023 11:01 AM by Marama Davidson

services and systems

Tell us the tooth: Green Party asks Aotearoa to tell their dental care stories

The Green Party are today launching a campaign asking for people to submit their stories of what it’s really like taking care of your oral health in Aotearoa.“Everybody in Aotearoa should be able to access essential healthcare and go to the dentist when they need to. But we know that for far too many Kiwis that is just simply not possible. Too many people are forced to put it off because it is too expensive,” says Green Party health spokesperson...

Posted at July 25, 2023 12:01 PM by Ricardo Menéndez March

services and systems

Greens urge all political parties to support amendment to ban big pharma ads

The Green Party plans to table an amendment to the Therapeutic Products Bill to ban direct to consumer advertising for prescription medicines.“It’s so important that we protect communities against the exploitative advertising strategies of big pharmaceutical companies. We urge political parties across the board to support our amendment. People’s wellbeing should not suffer because of politics,” says Green Party health spokesperson Ricardo Menendez March. “New Zealand is an outlier when it comes to protecting healthcare workers and patients from aggressive...

Posted at July 18, 2023 1:27 PM by Ricardo Menéndez March

services and systems

Government needs to end kidney health inequities

The Green Party is urging the Government to ensure everyone can access adequate kidney health treatment.“Today’s report by Kidney Health New Zealand is a reflection of the broader systemic challenges in our healthcare system. People who work in kidney health are under severe stress, too many people are left without adequate treatment and not enough resources are put into prevention”, says Ricardo Menéndez March, Green Party health spokesperson. “We know that food insecurity, lack of access to housing, and inadequate...

Posted at June 28, 2023 10:13 AM by Ricardo Menéndez March

services and systems

Free prescriptions important step forward

The Green Party is today welcoming free prescriptions.“There should be no barriers to anyone accessing the healthcare they need. Often, prescription costs are a significant barrier to care, and a driver for people not accessing medicines that are critical to their wellbeing,” says Green Party health spokesperson Ricardo Menéndez March. “Five dollars may not seem like much, but for many households it is another unavoidable added cost on top of food and rent. “Without regular treatment for chronic conditions such...

Posted at May 18, 2023 2:20 PM by Ricardo Menéndez March

services and systems

Greens make progress on alcohol harm minimisation

The Green Party is tonight welcoming the progress made with Chlöe Swarbrick’s Alcohol (Harm Minimisation) member’s bill but disappointed Parliament has once again kicked the rest of the can down the road.“After a year of grassroots campaigning, late last year the Government announced it was adopting the kaupapa of my Alcohol Harm Minimisation Bill. I said then that I wouldn’t withdraw my Bill because we had no guarantee they would follow through. A few weeks ago, unfortunately, the Government proved...

Posted at April 05, 2023 9:48 PM by Chlöe Swarbrick