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"Predicting this for the last 15 years": NZ facing 'tsunami' of kidney disease, lack of treatment funding

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 31 Mar 2026, 8:46am
Photo / Getty
Photo / Getty

"Predicting this for the last 15 years": NZ facing 'tsunami' of kidney disease, lack of treatment funding

Author
Newstalk ZB,
Publish Date
Tue, 31 Mar 2026, 8:46am

There are concerns poor planning has contributed to the tsunami of demand on kidney disease treatment. 

Hospitals across New Zealand are struggling to keep up with life-saving dialysis treatment. 

Health New Zealand told 1News there's been a lack of funding in some parts of the country. 

General Practice NZ Chair Bryan Betty told Mike Hosking this problem was predicted 15 years ago, but no one planned ahead. 

He says it's driven primarily by a surge in diabetes, and if it’s not addressed it will undermine the health system going forward. 

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