Half of all renal services nationally are operating above capacity, with Auckland services operating at 150 percent.

According to the Australian and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry survey for 2025, there's a shortage of units, meaning more people are missing out on essential care.

Kidney Health NZ general manager Madi Keay says hospitals are turning to 'band-aid' solutions, including offering shifts at off-peak time slots.

"We're seeing a range of other solutions being proposed, but really, we want to be providing better resourcing so people can dialyse within the adequate service times." 

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