On the 29th of July, 2026 Te Ohu Whakawhanaunga as an alliance gathered together to share stories and hear which political party would commit to a publicly funded health and care system, bring back pay equity with the care and support workers as their first priority and also funding the health sector to employ more staff that would help balance out the staff to patient ratio, when they get into government.
The event was a full house of over 1200 people attending from faith groups, community groups and union groups.
The Asks that was presented to the political party leaders were:
- Commit in principle to a publicly funded public health system that is of high quality and provides equitable access and outcomes to all in Aotearoa New Zealand.
- Commit to passing legislation within its first 100 days in government that restores and fully funds the pay equity gains already won by workers in the Care and Support sector, helping attract, retain and grow the workforce on which our communities depend. Also, begin work within its first 100 days on a new Equal Pay Act that helps rebuild and sustain the care and support sector Aotearoa will depend on in the future.
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Commit to launch a government inquiry into New Zealand's health and care funding settings to establish a framework for a staff-to-patient ratio standard for the New Zealand Health and Care system that reflects:
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The safety of patients
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The safety of health and care workers
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Different settings for healthcare delivery
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A commitment to a high quality publicly funded health system
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A target bed-to-population ratio for New Zealand including associated workforce planning
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An expectation of respect and safety for all without their cultural identity being challenged or diminished.
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The cost of legislating enforceable staff-to-patient ratios
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Equitable access to health and care
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Giving effect to the Rural Health Strategy
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- Commit to working with Te Ohu in the implementation of these commitments, and meet with us back here one year from now to report on progress.
Commitments from the parties present
The Opportunities Party Deputy Leaders Daniel Eb committed to all the Asks above on behalf the Opportunities Party.
The Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick, also committed to all Asks with an additional commitment from their party to have free dental for all if they get into government.
These were the two parties that committed to having a health and care system that is for the people, by the people, a publicly funded public health system.