28 May 2025
Gill
[FYI request #30874 email]
Tēnā koe Gill
Your request for official information, reference: HNZ00086834
Thank you for your email on 30 April 2025, asking Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora for the
following under the Official Information Act 1982 (the Act):
“Under the Official Information Act 1982, I request the following.
All internal documents, communications, or briefing materials that justify the current salary
levels of senior medical officers (SMOs).
The rationale used to decide against offering higher pay to SMOs in recent bargaining,
including any documented reasoning that addresses their value to the health system.
Any written explanation for excluding international salary comparisons (e.g. Australia) in
determining SMO pay.
Any analysis or commentary on whether current pay settings reflect the clinical, operational,
or economic value of SMOs - and if not, why they remain unchanged.
Please limit responses to material already held. I am seeking reasoning and justification,
not raw data or general policy descriptions.”
Response
You will be interested to know that you can find information about Senior Medical Officer Workforce
Factsheet on our Health NZ website at
tewhatuora.govt.nz/assets/For-health-
professionals/Employment-relations/Employment-agreements/Senior-Medical-Officer-Workforce-
Factsheet.pdf.
A response to your request is set out below.
All internal documents, communications, or briefing materials that justify the current salary
levels of senior medical officers (SMOs).
Health NZ does not hold documents that ‘justify’ the salaries of Senior Medical Officers (SMO). As
such your request for this information is refused under section 18(e) of the Act, as this information
does not exist.
The rationale used to decide against offering higher pay to SMOs in recent bargaining,
including any documented reasoning that addresses their value to the health system.
As you will be aware, Health NZ is currently negotiating with the Association of Salaried Medical
Specialists | Toi Mata Hauora regarding contracts for SMOs. The negotiations are conducted on a
basis of available funding for the health system.
Health NZ does not hold any documents that provide the rationale for or against offering higher pay
to SMOs. We also do not hold any documentation that addresses SMOs’ value to the New
Zealand’s Health system. However, Health NZ recognises the significant contribution all our
medical and non-medical staff make in supporting our patients. As we do not hold this information,
this part of your request is refused under section 18(e) of the Act, as this information does not
exist.
3. Any written explanation for excluding international salary comparisons (e.g. Australia) in
determining SMO pay.
Health NZ has interpreted this part of your request as formal documents that exclude international
salary comparisons in determining SMO remuneration. Therefore, this part of your request is
refused under section 18(e) of the Act, as this information does not exist. Please note, Health NZ is
aware of the remuneration of other medical professionals overseas. Additionally, SMO pay is not
determined by Health NZ. It is agreed through collective bargaining and individual negotiation
where appropriate.
4. Any analysis or commentary on whether current pay settings reflect the clinical,
operational, or economic value of SMOs - and if not, why they remain unchanged.
Health NZ does not hold any analysis or commentary on whether current pay settings reflect the
clinical, operation, or economic value of SMOs. Therefore, this part of your request is refused
under section 18(e) of the Act, as this information does not exist.
How to get in touch
If you have any questions, you can contact us at
[email address].
If you are not happy with this response, you have the right to make a complaint to the
Ombudsman. Information about how to do this is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or
by phoning 0800 802 602.
Nāku iti noa, nā
Danielle Coe
Manager (OIAs) – Government Services
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora
TeWhatuOra.govt.nz
Health NZ, PO Box 793,
Wellington 6140, New Zealand
Document Outline
