Labour's Carmel Sepuloni

With new prime minister Chris Hipkins cabinet reshuffle. Andrew Little switched over from the health portfolio to the defence portfolio, retaining all other titles. 

This was shortly before the floods hit Auckland and cyclones hit Te Ika A Maui, the north  island. 

This has seen the New Zealand Defence Force deployed to assist thousands of people across the country, saving many stranded on rooftops and in need of safety. 

We had a chat about all that and more in our first weekly catch up of 2023. 

The government has started to prioritise pay parity for healthcare workers. 

200 million per year will be invested into the sector-wide project, making sure all workers are paid equitably and fairly. 

This also comes as talks become renewed for an emergency department at Whangārei hospital. 

All this and more was covered in Tuva'as regular chat with health minister Andrew Little. 

Staffing Shortages in New Zealand's mental health services has been highlighted as a major issue recently, leading many in desperate need of help left behind. 

Despite the government saying they’ve boosted the workforce, psychologist vacancies increased by 113% in the last half decade. 

Tuva’a had a chat with Health Minister Andrew Little about the issue, as well as efforts to migrate health workers into Aotearoa.

Tuva'a is back with his weekly catch-up with Labour's Andrew Little.