Labour would keep coalition's health targets if elected

Labour would keep the coalition government's health targets if it wins the election on 7 November.

The pledge was reported by RNZ during its election campaign coverage.

It follows earlier criticism of the targets by the party. In December last year, Labour called the health targets a failure. It said the targets focused on pushing people out the door whether or not they had received the care they needed, according to a party statement. Labour

Labour has also promised shorter emergency department wait times and to move patients through hospital faster. It has promised an immediate review of unused hospital beds, RNZ reported.

Health has been a focus on the campaign trail. Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins clashed over responsibility for the crisis facing New Zealand's healthcare system in a leaders' debate, according to the NZ Herald.

The targets system includes a new primary care health target. It came into effect on 1 July 2026 and aims to support timely access to primary care. It was developed with the primary care sector, according to the Ministry of Health.