Children with life-threatening illnesses and their families will have greater access to specialist palliative care closer to home under a new $15.5 million Government investment announced ahead of Budget 2026.
Health Minister Simeon Brown said the funding, distributed over four years, would establish a nationally coordinated specialist paediatric palliative care service with dedicated teams based in both the North and South Islands.
Around 300 children die each year in New Zealand from life-threatening or life-limiting conditions, while up to 3000 may require paediatric palliative care support.
"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 support they need, wherever they live in New Zealand."
The new teams would include specialist physicians, clinical nurse specialists, social workers, child psychologists and nurse practitioners, who will work alongside healthcare professionals to allow more children to receive care in their homes and communities.
The funding package would also include national service coordination and one registrar training position each year in specialist paediatric palliative care.
Currently, Health New Zealand funds one specialist paediatric palliative care physician at Starship Children’s Hospital.
Brown said the aim of the investment was to reduce the "emotional, physical, and financial strain on children and their families as much as possible".
"Paediatric palliative care specialists support some of New Zealand’s most medically fragile babies, children, and young people," he said.
"Many have complex daily care needs, frequent outpatient appointments, and extended hospital or ICU stays.
"This investment will allow more children to be cared for at home, surrounded by their families and loved ones, rather than spending long periods in hospital."
The new services are expected to begin rolling out from mid-2027, with both specialist teams fully operational by mid-2028.
The government also confirmed interim funding for Rei Kōtuku from July 1, 2026, a specialist paediatric palliative care service providing support in Wellington.
Rei Kōtuku co-founder and clinical director Amanda Evans said the investment was a "significant" step forward for families.
"Until now, whether a child received specialist paediatric palliative care was often dependent on where they lived,” Evans said. "That has never felt okay to us, or to the families."
"Today's announcement really reflects the importance of getting it right."
Brown acknowledged the work of Rei Kōtuku, saying the organisation supported children and families through “some of life’s hardest moments”.
"Supporting families through some of the hardest moments of their lives is exactly why the Government has been so focused on responsible fiscal management – so we can continue investing in the health services that matter most to New Zealanders," he said.
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