Hospital overcrowding, 'Working with Children' card, and the proposed Waitematā Harbour crossing w/ the ACT Party's Simon Court: 24th August, 2026

While the health sector has faced struggles over the past few years with overcrowding and understaffing, this year’s influenza spikes have seen the sector under particular strain. With emergency departments unable to meet the needs of patients, ambulances sometimes being rerouted between hospitals, and nurses consistently overworked, the health sector is bursting at the seams. While the government has enacted multiple policies aimed at addressing the issue, few have had significant impact.  Also in the past week the ACT Party has proposed a new working with children card, that would see those working with children in Aotearoa assessed continuously rather than once every three years. The policy is aimed at cutting costs for the public sector and ensuring safety is monitored more closely. Lastly, the government also announced last week a Detailed Business Case into a new Waitematā harbour crossing, with investigations into a tunnel, bridge replacements, or even a new bridge across Meola Reef as proposed by Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown. Transport Minister Chris Bishop believes the development, if it happens, would be the largest and most expensive infrastructure project in New Zealand history. The development is especially interesting given the recent history of CRL delays and ACT’s record of opposing large-scale government spending.  To discuss each of these issues News Director Castor spoke with the ACT Party’s Simon Court, beginning with the issues in the health sector.