Govt Announces 21,000 Extra Elective Procedures to Cut Wait Times Fast

In a major effort to reduce surgical wait times and improve access to essential healthcare, Health Minister Simeon Brown has announced an ambitious expansion of the Elective Boost programme, with more than 21,000 additional elective procedures to be delivered over the next year.

This announcement brings the total number of elective procedures planned for the coming year to over 215,000, marking a significant increase in surgical throughput across New Zealand’s health system. The move is designed to tackle the chronic backlog of patients awaiting life-changing surgeries and meet the Government’s broader commitment to timely and equitable care for all.

“We’re focused on real delivery. For patients stuck on surgical waitlists, that means getting their procedures faster, no matter where they live or who provides it,” said Minister Brown. “New Zealanders don’t care who does the operation — they just want it done and done quickly.”

Delivering Results, Not Just Promises

The expanded Elective Boost builds on strong early results already seen in the programme’s initial phase. As of 1 June, over 12,764 procedures had already been completed — exceeding the 10,579 target originally set for 30 June. A large proportion of these operations were for people who had been waiting longer than four months, a threshold that has become a key performance indicator for surgical waitlist recovery.

The Government’s long-term goal is to ensure 95% of patients are treated within four months by 2030 — a target that Minister Brown says is both achievable and necessary.

“Too many Kiwis have been waiting in pain for procedures that could transform their lives,” Brown said. “Whether it’s a tradie needing shoulder surgery to get back to work, a nana needing cataract surgery to see her mokopuna clearly, or a child struggling with sleep due to untreated tonsils — we’re turning that around.”

Using Public and Private Sectors Strategically

The expanded initiative represents a "joined-up" national approach, leveraging both public hospital facilities and private surgical providers to ensure every part of the system contributes to easing surgical bottlenecks.

Elective procedures will be delivered through:

• Dedicated public elective surgery centres, including:

  • Manukau Health Park

  • Tōtara Haumaru on Auckland’s North Shore

  • Burwood Hospital in Christchurch

• Private hospitals, which are now working under new national agreements with Health New Zealand to ensure surgeries are delivered at consistent rates, regardless of region or provider.

As part of this effort, statements of work have already been issued to 60 private providers, ensuring they are ready and resourced to deliver specific procedures as part of the nationwide push.

“This is how we start to fix the waitlist crisis that grew under the previous government,” Minister Brown noted. “We’re making the health system work smarter and faster.”

Investment Backed by Delivery

The Elective Boost is part of a wider health reform strategy backed by the Government’s $30 billion annual investment in health. While funding is significant, Brown stressed that delivery, accountability, and patient outcomes are the top priorities.

“We are ramping up capacity in public hospitals, partnering with private providers in a strategic and consistent way, and above all, getting New Zealanders the care they need,” Brown said.

The Elective Boost is also expected to bring indirect economic and social benefits, as timely surgeries reduce workforce absences, improve productivity, and enhance quality of life — particularly for older Kiwis and working-age patients waiting for joint replacements and vision-related operations.

Looking Ahead: A Healthier, Faster Future

With thousands of extra procedures already completed and tens of thousands more scheduled, the Elective Boost is shaping up to be one of the most impactful components of the Government’s health agenda.

“We’ve already delivered thousands of extra procedures through the Elective Boost, and now we’re building on that to put patients first,” said Brown.

The programme is being closely monitored, and officials expect continued momentum as surgical teams, administrators, and providers coordinate efforts to hit targets and restore public confidence in elective surgery delivery.