The Acting Prime Minister says it would be a mistake for teachers to think that strike action was effective for nurses.

Nurses have begun voting on whether or not to accept the latest pay offer.

It follows the signing of an accord committing to safe staffing levels yesterday.

But Winston Peters says teachers - who are also preparing to strike - shouldn't read that as industrial action leading to a gain.

"We take the narrow point of view that we will somehow prevail upon a government thinking that we come from a position of weakness - that will be a terrible mistake. We are resolved up every group fairly with a government that is physically prudent and careful."

Meanwhile, Peters says he hopes nurses see that the Government has done the best it possibly could in the circumstances.

"I hope that they understand that. We have not been unmindful, its something they have had almost frozen for a decade - and it hasn't been addressed by us in our first budget."