Hospice Awareness Week 2026 – Hospice calls for urgent investment as demand grows

Wayne Naylor, Chief Executive of Hospice New Zealand, says access to quality palliative care is becoming increasingly unequal.

“Every person in New Zealand deserves to die with dignity and compassion.  It should not depend on your postcode, your diagnosis, or your ability to pay,” says Mr Naylor.

“Right now, too many New Zealanders are missing out on the care they need at the end of life and that’s not fair, and it’s not acceptable.”

Growing demand, stretched services

Last year more than 11,000 people who died, received hospice care but thousands more could, and should have benefited.

Hospices are already facing workforce shortages, funding shortfalls, and increasing demand with some forced to cap patient numbers and introduce waitlists to maintain safe care.

New Zealand’s global ranking for palliative care has also fallen significantly over the past decade, as other countries invest while Aotearoa falls behind.

“We are seeing the impact on the ground; services stretched, staff under pressure, and inequities growing between regions,” says Mr Naylor.

A smart investment in the health system

Hospice care not only improves quality of life for patients and whānau, it also reduces pressure on hospitals and emergency departments.

For every dollar invested in hospice care, more than $3 in value is returned through care delivery and wider health system and social benefits.

“This is not just the right thing to do, it’s a smart investment,” says Mr Naylor.
“Hospice care keeps people out of hospital, supports families, and strengthens communities.”

Pay Equity is a big part of the problem

Hospice nurses are highly skilled specialists, but they’re still not paid the same as their colleagues in Health NZ, making it harder for hospices to retain and recruit staff.

“One of the most immediate things Government can do is fund pay equity for hospice nurses to stabilise the workforce and protect care for patients and whānau,” says Mr Naylor.

A clear path forward

Hospice New Zealand has put forward its national Palliative Care Policy to health spokespeople across all parties, outlining practical, affordable steps to stabilise and strengthen the system.  Immediate priorities include:

• Urgent stabilisation funding for hospices
• Fair and sustainable funding for services
• Investment in the workforce, including pay equity for nurses
• Ensuring 24/7 access to end-of-life care across Aotearoa
• Better support for children and families needing palliative care

“These are realistic, achievable steps that would make a real difference within a year,” says Mr Naylor.  “What’s needed now is Government commitment.”

A message for all New Zealanders

As the Wrap Around Love campaign shows, hospice care is about those moments of connection, support, and dignity as people’s lives come to a close.

“Hospice is more than care at the end of life. It’s connection, support, and love that wraps around people and their whānau”, says Mr Naylor.

“That’s something every community values, and something every New Zealander should be able to rely on.”

While Hospice New Zealand continues to advocate for fair and sustainable Government funding, hospices also rely on the support of their communities.

“If you can, please support your local hospice,” says Mr Naylor.
“Because one day, this care could mean everything to someone you love.”

Donate • Hands Up for Hospice 2026