The Health Minister is standing by the current pay offer to senior doctors.
Thousands of planned procedures have been delayed following yesterday's strike action, while Health New Zealand is applying to the Employment Relations Authority for urgent facilitation.
Union members have told Newstalk ZB their pay rates aren't keeping up with the private sector or with Australia.
But Simeon Brown told Mike Hosking the pay offer is "credible" given Health New Zealand only has so much money to go around.
He says the health budget has to cover hospital services, GPs, aged care, and a range of other things, and there's pressure across the board.
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The Mike Hosking Breakfast