Canterbury nurses will be among tens of thousands going on strike this week over what they describe as unsafe staffing levels.
But the nurses' union has been accused of putting politics over patients, as treatment for nearly 14,000 patients may be delayed.
The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) said more than 36,000 nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants and kaimahi hauora will walk off the job.
The two-day strike is scheduled for 7am to 11pm on Tuesday and Thursday, with members in Canterbury set to join pickets and march through the city.
Canterbury NZNO delegate Gayl Marryatt said the action was a last resort after repeated attempts to address staffing issues with Te Whatu Ora.
“We’re striking mostly for safe staffing. Our members want to provide the care patients require and deserve."
Another NZNO delegate, Noreen McCallan, said the decision was not taken lightly by members.
"We are doing this because we fear for the safety of our patients. We will lose two days’ pay for striking but we are standing up for safe staffing because it is the right thing to do.
"We became health workers because we want to care for people. But staff shortages have become overwhelming and exhausting for many of us. Our patients are suffering longer because we can’t get to them as quickly as we should."
Marryat said high patient demand combined with lack of staff was forcing nurses to work long hours, often staying past their shifts to complete essential care.
“Last year we lost around 12,000 nurses to Australia because the workload and demand here are so extreme."
NZNO chief executive Paul Goulter said the strike reflected nurses’ determination to protect patient safety.
“Our members are clear that they want to keep fighting for the safety of their patients and to reduce preventable patient deaths.
“Patients are at risk because the Coalition Government is choosing cost cutting over patient needs."
The union has been negotiating with Te Whatu Ora for almost a year, engaging in 28 days of bargaining, including mediation and facilitation with the Employment Relations Authority.
Despite this, delegates say concerns over staffing remain unaddressed.
Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora) said it was deeply concerned about the impacts of the strikes on patients. Chief executive Dr Dale Bramley said the industrial action could delay treatment for an estimated 13,850 patients.
“Contingency plans are in place to ensure those who need the care the most will still be able to receive it,” Bramley said.
“Hospitals and emergency departments will remain open. . .but patients with non-urgent needs will face longer delays to be seen.”
Minister of Health Simeon Brown criticised the strike in a Facebook post, calling it “a choice by the NZNO Union to put politics ahead of patients".
He said the industrial action will disrupt thousands of surgeries and appointments and urged the union to return to the bargaining table.
