Summarised by Centrist
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressed sadness over a woman’s death at Rotorua Hospital’s emergency department and defended his government’s health system efforts, saying, “We know there are real pressures.” He backed Health Minister Shane Reti’s intervention in altering a Hawke’s Bay health policy that prioritized Māori and Pasifika, calling it “out of line.” Labour’s Dr. Ayesha Verrall questioned the government’s response, citing wider health risks and financial cuts.