Political parties clash over health system challenges ahead of 2026 election

New Zealand political parties are already debating major issues facing the national health system ahead of the 2026 general election. Leaders from different political groups are presenting their plans to fix hospital wait times, staff shortages, and funding gaps across the country. Healthcare stands out as a top priority for voters who want to see better access to doctors and nurses. Parties are proposing various solutions ranging from building more medical facilities to increasing pay for health workers to keep them in the public system.