NZ to Invest $15.5 Million in National Specialist Children’s Palliative Care Service

“Families caring for a child with a life-threatening illness are facing some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable,” Brown said.

Families caring for children with life-threatening illnesses will receive expanded specialist support under a major new Government investment designed to transform paediatric palliative care services across New Zealand.

Health Minister Simeon Brown today announced a $15.5 million Budget 2026 package over four years to establish New Zealand's first nationally coordinated specialist paediatric palliative care service, delivering expert support to children and families regardless of where they live.

The investment will fund dedicated specialist paediatric palliative care teams in both the North and South Islands, significantly expanding a system that currently relies largely on a single specialist physician based at Auckland's Starship Children's Hospital.

"Families caring for a child with a life-threatening illness are facing some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable," Brown said.

"Parents and their children deserve to know they will have access to the specialist care and support they need, wherever they live in New Zealand."

Growing Demand for Specialist Paediatric Care

Approximately 300 New Zealand children die each year from life-threatening or life-limiting conditions, while up to 3,000 children nationwide may require some form of paediatric palliative care support.

Many of these children live with rare genetic disorders, advanced cancers, severe neurological conditions, or complex disabilities requiring intensive medical support over long periods.

Although general palliative care services are currently available through local health providers, health officials say specialist paediatric palliative care remains unevenly distributed, with limited nationwide coverage and insufficient after-hours or community-based services.

The new investment aims to close those gaps by creating multidisciplinary specialist teams capable of supporting children in hospitals, hospices, and family homes.

"These specialists support some of New Zealand's most medically fragile babies, children, and young people," Brown said.

"Many have complex daily care needs, frequent outpatient appointments, and extended hospital or intensive care stays."

New National Teams to Deliver Home-Based Support

Under the new model, specialist teams will include paediatric palliative care physicians, clinical nurse specialists, social workers, clinical psychologists, and nurse practitioners.

The teams will work alongside local doctors, nurses, hospices, and community providers across the country, helping families access expert care without having to relocate or spend prolonged periods in hospital.

Officials say one of the central goals is to allow more children to remain at home with their families whenever possible.

"Our focus is on reducing the emotional, physical, and financial strain on children and their families as much as possible," Brown said.

"This investment will allow more children to be cared for at home, surrounded by their loved ones, rather than spending long periods in hospital."

The programme will also include national service coordination and the establishment of one specialist registrar training position annually in paediatric palliative care, aimed at strengthening New Zealand's long-term specialist workforce.

Addressing Longstanding Workforce and Access Challenges

Health experts have repeatedly warned that New Zealand's paediatric palliative care workforce has remained critically small compared with growing demand.

At present, Health New Zealand funds only one specialist paediatric palliative care physician through Starship Children's Hospital, creating significant pressure on services and limiting nationwide support.

Families outside major urban centres have often faced additional travel burdens, inconsistent access to specialist advice, and limited after-hours care.

The Government says the nationally coordinated model will improve equity of access while creating stronger support networks for regional healthcare providers managing highly complex cases.

The phased rollout is scheduled to begin from mid-2027, with both North and South Island specialist teams expected to be fully operational by mid-2028.

Interim Support for Wellington Families

As part of the transition, Health New Zealand has also committed funding to Rei Kōtuku, a specialist paediatric palliative care service based in Wellington.

The organisation will continue providing support to families in the lower North Island under a contract beginning on 1 July 2026 while the broader national service is established.

Brown acknowledged the role Rei Kōtuku has played in supporting children and families facing devastating medical circumstances.

"I want to acknowledge the extraordinary work Rei Kōtuku does supporting children and families through some of life's hardest moments," he said.

"This funding ensures families in the lower North Island continue to have access to vital specialist care while the national system is being developed."

Compassionate Care as a Health System Priority

The announcement forms part of the Government's wider push to strengthen frontline health services while managing increasing demand across the healthcare system.

Brown said the investment reflected the Government's commitment to ensuring vulnerable families receive compassionate, high-quality care during some of the most difficult experiences imaginable.

"Every child deserves care delivered with dignity, comfort, and compassion," he said.

"And every family deserves to feel supported during the hardest moments of their lives."

The Government says the investment represents a major step toward building a more integrated, equitable, and family-centred paediatric health system capable of supporting children with complex conditions across the country.