It’s being claimed New Zealand’s health agency has announced drastic policies to be implemented under the new government, including sacking health workers and slashing minimum wages.
This is false. The claims are fake and have been maliciously created to spread disinformation about the new coalition government.
A graphic (archived here), mimicking a screenshot from a mobile phone, was shared to Facebook in October, appearing to show an announcement from Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand.
“From 3rd of November 2023 Under a National government,” the text reads.
It then lists a range of measures which include no free prescriptions, no rental protection, cuts to public housing, the minimum wage being reduced to “bring inflation down” and 7000 healthcare providers to be fired.
The colours and logo of Te Whatu Ora, including the name of its Te Pae Hauora o Ruahine o Tararua MidCentral District, appear in the graphic. However, the text has been digitally altered.
The claim has been shared on social media since late October, within days of it being apparent National would take power in New Zealand following the general election on October 14.
Similar versions of the claim have appeared across Facebook, but without the health agency’s branding, as seen here, here, here, here.
A Te Whatu Ora spokesperson told AAP FactCheck the posts were misinformation.
“Some false information related to claims about a new government is appearing on social media and pretending to be from Te Whatu Ora,” they said.
“The post uses our branding without permission – the information is false.”
A representative for National party leader Chris Luxon also confirmed the graphic was fake.
“All of the claims in the post you refer to are false,” they told AAP FactCheck.
Mr Luxon was sworn in as prime minister on November 27, following weeks of negotiations with minor parties ACT and New Zealand First to form a three-way coalition government.
The Verdict
The claim New Zealand health agency Te Whatu Ora has announced drastic policies to be implemented under the new National coalition government is false.
The claim is based on a fake graphic which uses the health agency’s logo and branding.
A representative for National confirmed to AAP FactCheck the policies listed in the graphic are not authentic.
False – The claim is inaccurate.
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