Health targets: five out of five moving in the right direction
Shorter waits, faster treatment, and more timely access to care are benefiting patients across New Zealand, with all five of the Government's health targets improving in the April to June quarter, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.
"After years of decline, healthcare is improving steadily under this Government. Waiting lists are shorter, patients are spending less time in emergency departments, and more Kiwis are receiving faster cancer treatment," Mr Brown says.
"We know there is more work to do, and that is exactly why now is the time to double down and build on this progress."
All five health targets are set for 2030, and these results mark the second annual milestone on that path. Every one of the five has now improved two years running, which is the steady, year on year progress needed to reach the 2030 targets. Key improvements from April to June include:
- Shorter waits for elective treatment: 72.6 per cent of patients waiting less than four months, up from 63.9 per cent last year – the largest annual gain across all targets.
- Shorter waits for first specialist assessments (FSAs): 66.1 per cent of patients waiting less than four months, up from 62 per cent last year.
- Shorter stays in emergency departments: 76.3 per cent of patients admitted, treated or discharged within six hours, up from 73.9 per cent last year, despite increased attendances – meaning our doctors and nurses are delivering more care than ever and still getting patients seen faster.
- Faster cancer treatment: 87 per cent of patients started treatment within 31 days, up from 86.3% last year, supported by the Government’s $604m Pharmac boost delivering 33 new cancer medicines.
- Improved childhood immunisations: 83.7 per cent of children fully immunised by age two, up from 82 per cent last year.
Mr Brown says the latest figures show encouraging progress in ensuring more patients receive their elective surgeries within four months, including hip and knee replacements and cataract surgery.
Since the peak, more than 14,200 fewer New Zealanders are waiting longer than four months for an elective procedure. That is a 41 per cent reduction, and the total waiting list has come down 11 per cent alongside it. Behind every one of those numbers is someone who is off the waiting list and on the way to getting their life back.
The latest results show the health system continues to turn a corner after the sharp decline that followed the removal of health targets by the previous Labour Government.
We thank our doctors, nurses and other frontline staff whose daily commitment makes this improvement possible.
Improving health outcomes is exactly why this Government has been so focused on responsible fiscal management. Careful management of the books is what allows us to keep investing in the services New Zealanders rely on most, while keeping taxes low.
There is still more work to do. Too many people are still waiting too long, and we will not stop until every New Zealander has timely access to care. With a record $32 billion annual investment, we are rebuilding the system around patients, holding it accountable, and driving better outcomes on the way to 2030."
Links to the five health target report cards for April to June 2026 below. Every district in New Zealand reduced elective treatment wait times this quarter, and eight districts have already met a 2030 target, four years early. The full district by district tables are in the attachments.
Link to: Report Card – Shorter Waits for Elective Treatment
Link to: Report Card – Shorter Waits for First Specialist Assessments
Link to: Report Card – Shorter Stays in Emergency Department
Link to: Report Card – Faster Cancer Treatment
Link to: Report Card – Improved Immunisation
