Health Minister concedes net nursing staff increase was 54, not 2,100

Health Minister Simeon Brown conceded at Question Time that the net increase in Health NZ full-time equivalent nursing staff between March 2024 and March 2026 was 54. The Prime Minister has claimed 2,100 more nurses. Both can be accurate: 2,100 counts individuals; 54 counts full-time equivalents — the measure of actual nursing capacity added.