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Budget 2026 – College of GPs: Budget 2026 misses the opportunity to invest in a sustainable, accessible and affordable primary care

Source: Royal NZ College of General Practitioners

A sustainable health system starts with a sustainable general practice workforce and today’s Budget announcement does not go far enough to deliver it.
Despite commitment to improve access and strengthen frontline services, the significant investment into general practice that is required is yet to be delivered.
The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners’ President, Dr Luke Bradford, says increasing enrolments and access targets must be matched by workforce capacity.
“You cannot improve access to frontline health care without the workforce to deliver it. Announcements to provide 53,000 additional enrolments and expanded access are positive in their intent, but without enough GPs there is a real risk of shifting the pressure, rather than relieving it.
“General practice is the front door to the health system, but patients are struggling to afford to see their GP. At the same time, we are struggling to recruit enough junior doctors into this profession due to a lack of alignment in pay and working conditions compared to other specialities.”
There are so many advantages to investing in general practice, and the College is concerned that the Budget continues to prioritise hospital and secondary care, despite the evidence that investing in primary care is the most cost-effective option for reducing pressure on the rest of the system and for improving health outcomes.
“Funding must reflect the full scope and value of general practice, including the complex, preventative and ongoing care we provide, as well as the essential work that happens outside of the consultation that keeps patients safe and well.
College Medical Director Dr Prabani Wood says, “Funding must support GPs to build long-term therapeutic relationships with the communities that they serve. It is this continuity of care that enables general practice to deliver its full value to the health system.”
“Retention of the current workforce is just as critical as recruitment. Today’s workforce is under significant pressure, and they are the ones who are also training the next generation,” says Dr Bradford.
A significant win for New Zealanders is the lowering of the bowel screening age to 56 years. However, to meaningfully address the documented health inequities, eligibility must be extended to age 50 for Māori and Pacific Peoples who are at greater risk.
College CE Toby Beaglehole says a reset in health funding priorities is urgently needed.
“Investment in general practice is not optional. It is the most affordable way to improve access, affordability and health outcomes. We won’t achieve those improvements while primary care in New Zealand receives on average 6% of the total health budget, compared with 14% internationally.
“If we want to have a sustainable health system that delivers early, affordable care close to home, we need a targeted shift in investment towards the specialism of general practice and the wider primary care workforce.”
The College acknowledges the support and additional funding for general practice and rural medicine and is committed to working with the health minister to deliver sustainable, equitable and accessible care for all New Zealanders.
The College has developed a series of advocacy white papers that set out the priorities for strengthening New Zealand’s health system. Read the first paper in the series, The future and sustainability of general practice – Why this must be a Budget and election priority.
Read Dr Bradford’s pre-Budget opinion editorial published in NZ Doctor highlighting how meaningful change depends not just on policy intent, but on solutions that reflect the realities of frontline care. 
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Health – IHACPA releases Support at Home pricing and costing advice

Source: Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA)

28 May 2026 – The Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA) has released the Support at Home Pricing Advice 2026–27 and the Support at Home Cost Collection 2025 Final Report.
 
The pricing advice was developed based on IHACPA’s annual cost collection and after extensive public consultation, ensuring IHACPA’s advice is directly informed by the costs of delivering in-home aged care services.
 
To inform the pricing advice, IHACPA’s Support at Home Cost Collection 2025 captured and analysed detailed cost data from 135 services, covering over 35,000 clients to produce a comprehensive dataset. This cost collection prioritised participation from providers who had not previously taken part, as well as those delivering services to underrepresented groups. This includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and rural and remote populations.
 
As part of the public consultation held from 11 June to 18 July 2025, IHACPA received 220 submissions from a wide range of stakeholders. This includes submissions from in-home aged care participants and their families, carers and representatives, providers and the aged care workforce, government departments and agencies, researchers and peak bodies.  
 
IHACPA’s Chair, Mr David Tune AO PSM said, ‘We’re pleased to release our pricing and costing advice for the Support at Home service list. This work is central to supporting older people to stay at home for longer together with access to quality aged care services that meets their needs.’ 
 
‘IHACPA’s pricing advice is grounded in evidence, informed by real cost data and direct engagement across the sector. I would like to thank everyone who participated in our cost collections and consultation last year. Stakeholder feedback is vital to ensuring our advice reflects not only financial considerations, but also the practical aspects of delivering in-home aged care,’ Mr Tune added. 
 
Key elements of IHACPA’s pricing advice include:
  • unit prices for each service on the Support at Home service list 
  • delineation of unit prices for care management into clinical and non-clinical care management 
  • a separate combined price for team-based care management which is assumed to be the same unit price as home support care management
  • information about the confidence intervals around the unit prices and distribution of costs observed
  • the labour, non-labour and administration components of the unit prices. 
In developing this advice, IHACPA accounted for recent Fair Work Commission decisions, superannuation guarantee increases, and the indexation of historical cost data.
 
IHACPA’s pricing advice to the Australian Government helps inform funding decisions for Support at Home.
 
The recommended prices in IHACPA’s pricing advice do not present a price cap, benchmark or guidance for aged care providers when setting their prices. The Minister for Health and Ageing is responsible for determining price caps for in-home aged care services and the timing of announcement for prices for services on the Support at Home service list.
 
More information
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Budget 2026 – ProCare welcomes expansion to bowel screening but acknowledges the equity gap that remains

Source: ProCare

ProCare is pleased to see the Government move to lower the age for free bowel screening, improving access to early detection and preventative care for thousands more New Zealanders this year.

The age for screening is expected to be lowered to 56 this September, following a drop to 58 years in March 2026.

Expanding eligibility means more people can take part in screening earlier, helping to detect any issues sooner when they’re easier to treat, and reducing the likelihood of people developing serious illness.

Bindi Nowell, Chief Executive at ProCare says, “Keeping care in the community, and making sure as many people have the opportunity to get their health checks sooner, is always a win for primary care. Our teams in general practice are constantly looking for ways to keep their populations healthy, so expansions like these are always positive.”

“Previously, Māori and Pacific people have had access to free bowel screening from 50 years, which was a great equity move to support these communities who are often affected by bowel cancer at a younger age. Today’s announcement of lowering to 56 is welcome, but we want to acknowledge the gap in equity that we're still not addressing.”

“We’ll be supporting for our general practices to let their patients know about the changes, so as many people as possible can access screening sooner.”

About ProCare

ProCare is a leading healthcare provider that aims to deliver the most progressive, pro-active and equitable health and wellbeing services in Aotearoa. We do this through our clinical support services, mental health and wellness services, virtual/tele health, mobile health, smoking cessation and by taking a population health and equity approach to our mahi.

As New Zealand’s largest Primary Health Organisation, we represent a network of general practice teams and healthcare professionals who provide care to nearly 700,000 patients across Auckland and Northland. These practices serve the largest Pacific and South Asian populations enrolled in general practice and the largest Māori population in Tāmaki Makaurau. For more information go to www.procare.co.nz

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Budget 2026: where are the solutions to climate, biodiversity and fuel crisis? – Greenpeace

Source: Greenpeace

Greenpeace is lamenting the paucity of solutions in Budget 2026 to the climate, biodiversity and fuel price crises.
“We’re facing twin climate and biodiversity crises, overlaid by a cost of living crisis directly caused by our economy’s dependence on fossil fuels,” says Russel Norman, Greenpeace Executive Director.
“Yet the Budget has no plan to decarbonise our economy and hence simultaneously address the cost of living and climate crisis,” says Norman.
“There is no plan to decarbonise the transport sector which is highly dependent on imported fossil fuels and produces a fifth of all New Zealand’s climate pollution.
“The new Road of National Party Significance will cost us $112 million per kilometre but will do absolutely nothing to deal with the cost of transport which is driven by fossil fuel dependence.
“The Budget has money to repair state highways being damaged by extreme weather events but no plan or money to cut the climate pollution that is causing the damage.
“There is no plan to support everyday New Zealanders’ uptake of rooftop solar and batteries which would actually help with the cost of living crisis.
“On the positive side there is an investment of $1 billion in rail and the previously announced, yet begrudging, loan scheme to support businesses to reduce fossil gas use.
“Undermining that, on the biodiversity front, there are further cuts to the Department of Conservation. And the use of $100 million of the International Visitor Levy simply replaces existing baseline funding.”
The Government’s climate policy has resulted in large fiscal costs:
  • The National Party’s original fiscal plan released in 2023 included $2.1 billion in revenue, over four years, from Emissions Trading Scheme auctions. But these auctions have largely failed due to the weakening of climate policy leaving a large hole in the Government’s revenue.
  • The Government is allocating $200 million to subsidise oil and gas exploration.
  • The fiscal impact of the Government decision to weaken the Clean Car Standard directly cost the Government $264 million.
  • The fiscal impact of subsidising agribusiness climate pollution, by keeping them out of the ETS, is hard to quantify but will be hundreds of millions.
  • The $23 billion liability for failing to meet the Paris climate agreement.
“Now is not the time for business as usual. Now is the time to embrace our renewable energy future,” says Norman.
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Budget 2026 – Budget misses opportunity to respond to growing mental health need – Mental Health Commission

Source: Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission

Te Hiringa Mahara – Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission is disappointed to see no new explicit investment into mental health and addiction services in today's budget.
Of particular concern is the lack of funding for specialist services, where too many people are already waiting far too long to get the help they need.
“At a time when mental health is the leading health concern for New Zealanders, this response does not match the scale of the need experienced across the country every day,” says Te Hiringa Mahara Chief Executive, Karen Orsborn.
“According to the recent Ipsos New Zealand health report, released this month, 61% of New Zealanders say mental health is the biggest health issue facing the country. This Budget does little to ease those concerns.
“A cornerstone of a well-functioning mental health system is making sure support is available long before people reach crisis. We are not seeing enough investment in this, which means people are missing out on vital care.
“It’s critical that when people reach out for help, they have someone to call, someone to respond and somewhere safe and welcoming to go, when and where they need it.
“The current system doesn’t always work well for Māori, young people or those living rurally in particular. This is unlikely to change without investment.
“Last November we welcomed the additional funding announced by Minister Doocey for expansion of crisis cafes, crisis assessment teams and peer-led acute alternatives. This was a step in the right direction, and further investment will enable the much needed expansion of options for people seeking support.
“This budget won’t take us any closer to having a cohesive national approach to crisis support. No matter where you live, you should have a range of support options to choose from.
“We are pleased to see the investment into reducing online harms for young people announced today and acknowledge what it will achieve. We hope this investment reflects youth-led solutions, investment in education and a strong rigorous regulation on platforms and content.
“The longer we put off expanding the range of support in the face of growing rates of psychological distress, the worse it will be for people seeking help,” says Ms Orsborn.
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Budget 2026 – Primary care overlooked again in Budget 2026 – despite known results from investment in primary care – ProCare

Source: ProCare

Primary care has once again been left behind in Budget 2026, with limited clear, targeted investment to match the growing burden of disease through aging, the increasing complexity of patient care, and constrained access to secondary care.

While the Government has committed more than $33 billion to health overall, nearly half of that funding continues to be directed toward hospitals and specialist services, reinforcing a system that prioritises treating illness over preventing it.

ProCare says this approach risks entrenching pressure across the health system rather than relieving it.

Bindi Norwell, Chief Executive at ProCare says: “General practice is the front door of the health system – but it continues to be funded as if it’s an afterthought.

“Research has shown that for every dollar invested in primary care results in between $13 and $15 in savings in secondary care, so we question why primary care continues to be overlooked,” says Norwell.

“Without stronger investment in primary care, we will continue to see pressure build in emergency departments and hospital services. We simply cannot hospitalise our way out of this,” continues Norwell.

“We need a stronger focus on planned, proactive care that deliberately shifts services into primary and community settings, improving access, reducing waiting times, and keeping people well in their communities,” she points out.

Positive step for community services card holders

Budget 26 announced an increase of $800,000 additional funding for Community Services Card holders and people aged 65 and over, who are exempt from the Budget 2024 savings initiative to reintroduce the $5 prescription co-payment for those aged 14 years and over.

ProCare acknowledges this as a step in the right direction, particularly initiatives aimed at improving access through community-based care.

“This is a positive step for equity in primary care. Removing cost barriers for those who need support most helps ensure people can access the medicines they rely on, without financial pressure,” says Norwell.

“Maintaining these exemptions will help improve access to pharmaceuticals, particularly for older people and those on lower incomes, and supports better health outcomes by enabling people to manage conditions early and consistently,” points out Norwell.

Demand rising, workforce stretched

General practice continues to face increasing patient complexity, workforce shortages, financial pressure on practices, and growing unmet need across communities. Without targeted investment, access will continue to deteriorate.

“New Zealand needs a long-term health strategy that recognises growing demand and backs primary care as the foundation of the system; supported by smart investment in workforce, digital tools, and reduced administrative burden,” points out Norwell.

“At the same time, we must shift care closer to home through better planned, community-based services and a more streamlined system, improving access, reducing pressure on hospitals, and delivering better value for patients and taxpayers,” concludes Norwell.

About ProCare

ProCare is a leading healthcare provider that aims to deliver the most progressive, pro-active and equitable health and wellbeing services in Aotearoa. We do this through our clinical support services, mental health and wellness services, virtual/tele health, mobile health, smoking cessation and by taking a population health and equity approach to our mahi.

As New Zealand’s largest Primary Health Organisation, we represent a network of general practice teams and healthcare professionals who provide care to nearly 700,000 patients across Auckland and Northland. These practices serve the largest Pacific and South Asian populations enrolled in general practice and the largest Māori population in Tāmaki Makaurau. For more information go to www.procare.co.nz

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Budget 2026 – Trades Training Positive Feature of Budget 2026 – EMA

Source: EMA

The EMA says the emphasis on Trades Training and channelling high school students into skills and trades, as well as university, is a positive from today’s Budget announcement.
“The confirmed re-prioritisation of funding from the previous Fees Free scheme into trades training could go some way to filling future gaps in the trades, and enhance the work readiness of those leaving our schools and heading into skills and trades-oriented careers,” say EMA Head of Advocacy Alan McDonald.
“The confirmation of an additional 10,000 places in trade academies and around eight new trade focussed courses for high school students is a good use of that Fees Free funding.
“The new Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) will develop those courses, backed by funding of $15 million. Hopefully, the additional funding of $90 million for the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) will also see the Authority approve those courses more quickly than its current approval times, and get those courses underway.”
McDonald says the Budget did a bit with not very much, with confirmation of funding for several larger infrastructure projects, while the revised forecasts were not as bad as many expected.
“Getting back to surplus a year earlier than previously forecast (28/29) was a surprise, no doubt helped by the additional taxes and some of the savings identified in recent announcements about the public service.
“GDP growth for this year is down to 1.2% from 1.7%, and will still be challenging, especially reaching the 3.2% forecast in 2028. A lot is going to have to stabilise to make some of these predictions a reality. Unemployment also has a new peak at 5.5% in June this year, up another 0.1% (several thousand jobs) before dropping back.”
McDonald said the other main positive from the Budget was the committed funding for infrastructure.
“Firm commitments to Whangarei’s hospital upgrade and Dunedin’s outpatient clinic, plus buying the land for the new South Auckland hospital, are a boost for the health sector, in addition to land acquisition for 10 new schools.
“Then you get the hard infrastructure like the Cambridge to Piarere road extension in the Waikato, and more than a billion dollars for rail. Road projects around Tauranga and the Waikato improve access to our ports for exporters, while changes further north also bring Northport more into the mix. It’s not clear where the spend on rail upgrades will go, but improving rail connectivity for both Auckland (a fourth main line) and Northport should be among the priorities.
“There wasn’t much to spend, but some of those priorities look to the longer-term.”
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Budget 2026: A real-world look at the road to recovery – BusinessNZ

Source: BusinessNZ

Given the political, economic, and fiscal constraints facing the New Zealand economy, Budget 2026 is fiscally responsible, BusinessNZ says.
Chief Executive Katherine Rich says the Government has approached this year’s Budget with a restrained, real-world lens.
“BusinessNZ wanted to see a Budget which delivered a credible, long-term economic plan to return New Zealand’s accounts back to surplus.
“The Budget’s priorities reflect careful investment decisions in infrastructure, health, defence, education and business regulatory reform. We are delighted to see a significant investment boost for trades, which should double the amount of trade academy places, and provide free trades training for high-school students.
As part of their expert analysis provided to members, BusinessNZ’s economists called today’s Budget announcement a “responsible budget focused on the fundamentals, while meeting the critical needs of New Zealand’s businesses”.
Economist Max Doyle says today’s series of announcements will allow businesses to remain internationally competitive.
“We’re pleased to see a realistic look at much needed infrastructure, rather than election year ‘sugar hits’.”
Chief Economist John Pask says while the key economic indicators were predicted to improve over time, the ability to get back to surplus will be dependent on solid economic growth over the forecast period.
“Given the fraught geopolitical landscape in which this Budget was delivered, these outcomes require an optimistic set of resolutions, some of which are beyond New Zealand’s influence alone.”
The BusinessNZ Network including BusinessNZ, EMA, Business Central and Business South, represents and provides services to thousands of businesses, small and large, throughout New Zealand.
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Budget 2026 – ProCare welcomes Government’s cyber security investment

Source: ProCare

ProCare welcomes the Government’s $153.6m investment in strengthening cyber security across New Zealand’s health system, recognising its importance in protecting patient information and maintaining continuity of care.

“Cyber security is fundamental to trust in primary care from both a practice and patient perspective,” says Bindi Norwell, Chief Executive at ProCare. “General practice teams handle highly sensitive information every day, so stronger protections are essential.”

The investment is timely, following recent sector incidents such as the Manage My Health breach, which highlighted the growing risks facing providers and patients.

ProCare supports the focus on improving oversight of third-party systems and establishing more consistent standards across primary care.

“Primary care relies on a wide ecosystem of digital tools. Stronger safeguards, clearer accountability, and closer collaboration with Health New Zealand will help reduce risk and build system-wide confidence.

“It's imperative that Health NZ takes a lead role on this work, thereby allowing general practices to get on with the business of caring for their patients, rather than becoming security experts,” continues Norwell.

“Furthermore, we are conscious that there are changes coming to the cyber security requirements as part of contingent capitation. While we recognise these are important to protect patient data, we need to ensure they are not cumbersome for practices to implement and maintain on a regular basis,” says Norwell.

The emphasis on practical measures such as 24/7 monitoring, specialist capability and regular audits is also welcomed.

“These investments will make a real difference in supporting practices to prevent incidents, respond quickly, and maintain safe, uninterrupted care – while reducing the technical burden on clinicians so they can focus on patients,” concludes Norwell.

About ProCare

ProCare is a leading healthcare provider that aims to deliver the most progressive, pro-active and equitable health and wellbeing services in Aotearoa. We do this through our clinical support services, mental health and wellness services, virtual/tele health, mobile health, smoking cessation and by taking a population health and equity approach to our mahi.

As New Zealand’s largest Primary Health Organisation, we represent a network of general practice teams and healthcare professionals who provide care to nearly 700,000 patients across Auckland. These practices serve the largest Pacific and South Asian populations enrolled in general practice and the largest Māori population in Tāmaki Makaurau. For more information go to www.procare.co.nz

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Budget 2026 robs Pita to pay Paul: NZNO

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation
Budget 26 fails to address unmet health needs or nursing workforce shortages and leaves Māori worse off, NZNO says.
Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says Budget 26 is a “money go-round” which requires the health sector to do even more with even less.
“This Budget robs Pita to pay Paul. There is $37 million for Hauora Māori but a $47.2 million programme to immunise tamariki and other Māori health funds has been scrapped.
“Māori are left worse off after Budget 26,” Kerri Nuku says.
Hospital infrastructure spending was welcome but didn’t meet the unmet health needs today, she says.
“The $174 million additional funding for the new Dunedin hospital is much needed. However, funding for the new Whangārei Hospital ward tower has been pushed out until 2031. Hawke’s Bay, Palmerston North and Tauranga hospital redevelopments have funding allocated for design and enabling work which won’t be completed for years.
“This is effectively kicking the can down the road and provides nothing to address the gaps in health services in those communities now.”
NZNO was concerned cost pressure funding of $1.37 billion wasn’t ringfenced, Kerri Nuku says.
“This means that money isn’t guaranteed. The track record of the Coalition Government is the same level of cost pressure funding last financial year was raided by more than $300 million for new unfunded initiatives announced since the last budget.
“For example, any further outsourcing of elective surgeries will have to come from this cost pressure funding. This means that core service delivery is whittled away. This is the funding which is meant to ensure the health sector can tread water,” Kerri Nuku says.
Aotearoa New Zealand’s public health system is funded at a lower level than 16 other OECD countries.
“New Zealanders know their hospitals can’t keep up with current demand and patient needs. Nursing workforce levels around the country have plateaued or declined. A further $826 million doesn’t touch the sides on safely staffing our hospitals to give patients the care they need,” Kerri Nuku says.