The battle for safer hours for junior doctors appears to be over.

After more than a year of negotiations and strikes the Resident Doctors Association and DHBs have agreed to a settlement.

Dr Ian Powell, executive director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, has welcomed the settlement, but told Rachel Smalley there is still work to do.

"It's a promising sign; recommendations from negotiators are usually excepted, but not always."

LISTEN ABOVE: Ian Powell talks to Rachel Smalley

He said both sides need to ratify the process, but one DHB chief executive was still holding out.

Mr Powell says this is a promising sign, but recommendations from negotiating teams aren't always accepted.