Record $30b investment to cut wait times and rebuild healthcare
National says it is putting $30 billion a year into health. It wants people to see a doctor faster, get medicines more easily, and spend less time on waiting lists. It says it is training more doctors, building new hospitals, adding new scanning machines, extending free breast screening to older women, and offering 24/7 online GP consultations.
What they say they'll do
- Train more doctors and allow overseas-trained GPs to work in New Zealand practices
- Run a 24/7 digital service for online GP consultations, prescriptions, and lab referrals
- Extend free breast screening to women aged 70–74
- Build new hospitals (Nelson, Dunedin) and upgrade facilities nationwide
- Install 38 new or replacement CT, MRI and SPECT scanners over three years
- Fund more medicines through Pharmac and set health targets to reduce waiting times
Who this affects
People needing a GP
More doctors in primary care and a 24/7 digital service are intended to make it quicker and easier to get an appointment or consultation.
Women aged 70–74
Free breast screening is being extended to this age group, with online booking available through a new digital platform.
Patients needing hospital scans or surgery
New scanning equipment and upgraded hospitals are described as part of efforts to reduce waiting times for diagnosis and treatment.
People with mental health needs
The party states it is delivering better mental health services, though specific details are not provided in this text.
In their own words
“With a record $30 billion annual investment, rebuilding the system around patients, holding it accountable, driving better outcomes, and boosting the frontline.”
“A new 24/7 digital health service that has delivered over 20,000 phone/laptop GP consultations since July 2025; get prescriptions, lab test referrals and radiology online.”
“38 new/replacement CT, MRI and SPECT scanners over three years.”
Summarised neutrally from National’s own official policy (as at 2026-06-23) and checked by an editor — never paraphrased without the source linked, and never an endorsement. Read the original ↗ Arapono is non-partisan. Compare all parties on Health →
Coverage at a glance
Which party holds a published position on which topic.
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Published position∅ No stated position (verified) Not captured yet