Public-Private Health Partnership Cuts Wait Times for Elective Surgeries in NZ

Health New Zealand, the national health agency, has embarked on a major initiative to expand elective surgical capacity by contracting private hospitals across the country.

In a move set to reshape access to elective healthcare in New Zealand, Health Minister Simeon Brown has announced that the Government's strategic partnership with the private health sector is already delivering tangible benefits, most notably, shorter wait times and improved access to vital surgical procedures.

The initiative, launched last month, aims to significantly increase the number of elective surgeries carried out across the country by utilizing spare capacity in private hospitals. It is part of a broader push by the Government to meet its ambitious health target: ensuring that 95 per cent of patients receive elective treatment within four months.

Minister Brown emphasized the Government’s commitment to timely, patient-focused healthcare. "Ensuring Kiwis have access to timely, quality healthcare is a priority for the Government,” he said. “That’s why Health New Zealand is working closely with private hospitals to expand access to surgery and make full use of every available operating theatre."

More than 10,579 additional elective procedures are set to be completed under the initiative between now and the middle of the year. So far, over 2,000 procedures have already been completed, with a particular focus on treating patients who have been waiting more than four months.

The most commonly performed surgeries to date include:

• Cataract operations

• Hip replacements

• Knee replacements

• Ear procedures

• Tonsillectomies

• Hernia repairs

These are among the types of elective treatments that, while not immediately life-threatening, significantly affect patients' quality of life when delayed.

“This is about putting patients first,” Minister Brown said. “By maximizing the capacity in both public and private hospitals, we are removing unnecessary delays and helping Kiwis get the care they need faster.”

The Government’s health plan includes a record investment of $30 billion annually, reflecting its commitment to rebuilding the healthcare system and addressing long-standing issues such as surgical backlogs and regional disparities in access.

“Partnering with the private sector doesn’t mean privatizing healthcare,” Brown clarified. “It means using all the tools at our disposal to ensure New Zealanders can access the surgeries they need, when they need them—regardless of whether they’re performed in a public or private hospital.”

The collaboration also allows Health New Zealand to be more agile in response to regional pressure points. In areas where public hospitals face more severe staffing or capacity constraints, private providers are stepping in to reduce bottlenecks and maintain surgical flow.

Healthcare leaders have welcomed the move, noting that long wait times have not only burdened patients but also increased pressure on frontline clinicians. With the support of private partners, hospitals can now prioritize more complex or urgent cases while distributing lower-risk elective surgeries more broadly.

“This partnership is a practical, patient-centered solution to a long-standing problem," said one health sector expert. "It’s not just about numbers—it’s about restoring faith in the system and showing people that their health matters."

Looking ahead, the Government plans to continue scaling up the collaboration, monitoring progress closely to ensure both volume and quality targets are met. The ultimate goal is not just clearing current backlogs but establishing a sustainable model for elective care delivery well into the future.

Minister Brown concluded, “This is just the beginning. We’re focused on results and committed to ensuring that all New Zealanders have access to timely, high-quality surgical care, no matter where they live.”

The initiative is expected to make a noticeable difference by mid-year, with the Government reaffirming its pledge to transparency and performance tracking as part of its broader healthcare reform agenda.