$12m Boost for Hospice Care Nationwide

Hospices across New Zealand are getting a $12 million funding boost, with Health Minister Simeon Brown confirming the uplift will take effect for 2026/27.

The increase follows a review of hospice services conducted by Health New Zealand alongside Hospice New Zealand, which found wide variation in how much government support individual hospices receive. Currently, government funding covers around 64 per cent of total hospice costs nationally — but that share ranges from as low as 22 per cent to as high as 91 per cent depending on the hospice.

The new funding is designed to reduce that disparity. Every hospice will receive a baseline increase, with additional allocations more closely tied to need.

"Thousands of New Zealanders and their families rely on hospice care every year during some of the most difficult times in their lives," Brown said. "Ensuring people receive quality, compassionate end-of-life palliative care is deeply important to me, and investing in these services is critical to making sure that support is there when it's needed most."

The $12 million sits alongside a separate Budget 2026 commitment — $15.5 million over four years to establish a nationally consistent specialist paediatric palliative care service, delivered through dedicated teams in both the North and South Islands.

"Together, these investments will strengthen hospice and palliative care services and improve access for families across New Zealand," Brown said.

Brown acknowledged the role of the sector in pushing for change. "The funding uplift has been informed by information provided by hospices through Hospice New Zealand, and I want to acknowledge their leadership and advocacy on behalf of hospices and the communities they serve."

He also singled out frontline workers. "I want to sincerely thank the dedicated staff and volunteers who provide compassionate care and support during some of life's most difficult moments."

For Southland hospice services, which operate in a region where government funding proportions have historically varied, the baseline guarantee will be the key detail to watch when Health New Zealand releases the breakdown.