Some of New Zealand's lowest-paid hospital workers are facing a lengthy wait for their agreed pay increases, with payments not expected until the end of January 2027, raising concerns about the financial pressure many will face over Christmas.
According to a report by 1News, the 2.5 per cent pay increase and a $1,000 lump-sum payment, secured through union negotiations, are expected to take around five months to reach workers' bank accounts. The delay has left many hospital support staff frustrated, particularly those who rely on every pay increase to manage their household expenses.
Health New Zealand has attributed the delay to a processing backlog involving 34 other collective employment agreements that were signed before the workers' agreement.
Among those affected is 73-year-old Tony Knight, an orderly at Christchurch Hospital who has dedicated 34 years to working at the facility. Despite the challenges, Knight says he continues to find satisfaction in helping patients and supporting hospital operations, 1News has reported.
"I love my job. Helping the sick, just looking after people really. It's been a great job," he told 1News.
Knight said hospital orderlies, cleaners, kitchen employees and security personnel play an essential role in keeping hospitals running, despite often receiving less recognition and lower pay than other healthcare workers.
"I feel like we're the backbone of the hospital," he said, as quoted by 1News.
However, he said the prolonged wait for the agreed payments had increased frustration among staff, prompting workers to launch a petition calling for better treatment and recognition of their contributions.
"They need us there, you know, and yet we get the lowest pay and treated badly every time we go to negotiation. We get all these false promises, so its quite upsetting," 1News has quoted.
E tū director Finn O'Dwyer-Cunliffe has also criticised the delay, describing it as unacceptable for workers who are already experiencing financial difficulties.
"They need the money. They can't wait for five months," as quoted by 1News.
O'Dwyer-Cunliffe blamed the situation on what he described as insufficient government funding for Health New Zealand, arguing that the organisation's financial and administrative constraints were preventing agreed pay increases from being processed promptly.
He also highlighted the low wages received by many hospital support workers across the public health system.
"These are some of the lowest paid workers across the public health system in New Zealand," O'Dwyer-Cunliffe said.
"Some of them actually earn below the living wage, which we think is unacceptable for the largest state employer in the country", as quoted by 1News.
Health New Zealand, meanwhile, said the payment schedule was in line with the commitments made during negotiations with the union. Under the agreement, pay increases effective from 1 August are expected to be processed by 31 January 2027.
In its statement, the organisation acknowledged the important role hospital support workers play in maintaining daily hospital operations and recognised their valuable contribution to the healthcare system, 1News has reported.
Health NZ also said it remained committed to implementing the agreed pay changes as soon as possible, 1News has reported.
However, for workers like Knight, the delay means missing out on additional financial support during a particularly expensive time of the year. He said the payments would have made a significant difference if they had arrived before the festive season.
"Now's when you need it, right on Christmas", as quoted by 1News.
The delay has renewed concerns about the financial challenges facing some of New Zealand's lowest-paid healthcare workers, with calls for greater recognition and timely delivery of agreed employment benefits.