Minister for Health David Clark says "we have heard them" after hundreds of midwives marched on Parliament to demand a funding boost today.
The midwives delivered a petition calling on the government to take urgent action around fair pay and working conditions ahead of the upcoming budget.
Today midwives staged protests around the country calling for better pay. (Source: Other)
Dr Clark was there to meet them at Parliament and hopes to address their concerns.
"I think everybody knows that we won't address nine years of underfunding in one budget.
A petition is being handed over to parliament carrying more than 13,000 signatures. (Source: Other)
"We are a Government that is determined to address the situation and we have a plan. Budget 2018 will be the start but not the finish of addressing that historic underfunding," Dr Clark told 1 NEWS.
When asked if the new budget would contain a package for midwives he replied: "Budget 2018 will contain some support for midwives, we have heard them and we intend to begin to deliver solutions."
Laura Cox will be one of many marching today on Parliament demanding better pay and conditions for midwives. (Source: Other)
The Ministry of Health also responded to the marches, saying it is working with the NZ College of Midwives "together with urgency on a maternity programme designed to address current pressure on the midwifery-led service".
NZ College of Midwives chief executive Karen Guilliland said she was "pleased that the issues raised by the current workforce shortage will be prioritised for resolution; for example, continuing to provide rural primary maternity service provision in all areas".
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