Hospice New Zealand has welcomed Minister of Health’s announcement of an
additional $12 million Health New Zealand funding uplift for hospice services in 2026/27,
saying the funding represents an important step towards a fairer and more equitable
hospice system for New Zealanders.
The annual uplift funding package includes a base uplift of 2.66% along with targeted
sustainability and rurality funding (an additional 7.34%) designed to address long-
standing inequities in government funding for hospice services. This should help
improve access to care in communities that have historically received less funding.
“This is good news for people living with a terminal illness and their family/whānau,” said
Wayne Naylor, CEO of Hospice New Zealand.
“Health NZ has recognised that some hospices have not been funded fairly to meet the
needs of the communities they serve and that access to hospice care is not consistent
across the country.”
“For many years, Hospice NZ has highlighted the ‘postcode lottery’ that exists in hospice
care. This investment is the beginning. It’s starting to address some of those historic
inequities so that patients and whānau, no matter where they live, can receive more
consistent levels of care.”
Mr Naylor says the funding will provide a much-needed interim measure to ensure
stability for hospices while more detailed work continues within Health New Zealand on
a new national service model, expected to be delivered in 2027.
“This isn’t simply more money being allocated based on existing government investment,
which we’ve seen in the past and would risk perpetuating inequitable service access.
It is targeted investment designed to improve sustainability, strengthen access, and
move us toward more consistent services for hospice patients.”
While welcoming the announcement, Hospice New Zealand said ongoing work is still
required to establish a sustainable long-term funding model.
“This funding is not a complete solution to the growing demand facing hospice services,
or the challenges of community fundraising, but it is a meaningful investment that
acknowledges the current funding system is not delivering equitable outcomes.”
“We remain committed to working in partnership with Health NZ and our member
hospices to establish a fair price for hospice services nationally.”
“Our shared future goal is clear: ensuring every New Zealander has access to high-quality
hospice and palliative care, regardless of where they live.”
For more information contact:
Wayne Naylor, Chief Executive, Hospice New Zealand
wayne@hospice.org.nz
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