Cabinet has agreed to on-going funding of $200 million a year so nurses in aged-care facilities, hospices and Māori and Pacific health-care organisations can be paid more.
On Monday morning Health Minister Andrew Little announced $40 million will be made available in the remainder of this financial year, with $200 million a year after that, with recipient organisations required to use the money to bring nurses' pay in line with public hospitals.
But GP nurses, who have been striking for a similar pay parity deal, miss out, as the minister says there is 'no evidence' of a pay gap.
The minister spoke to Guyon Espiner.
