Health Minister Simeon Brown said the unions should stop using patients as bargaining chips. Photo:
Health New Zealand and senior doctors are in mediation, before a strike planned for next week.
Pay negotiations between the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists and Te Whatu Ora have been ongoing for months.
Last week, the union said more than 5000 senior medical doctors would strike on 1 May, after pay negotiations with Te Whatu Ora stalled.
Te Whatu Ora said it was "disappointed" and "very concerned" about the impact strikes would have on patients, while Health Minister Simeon Brown said the union should stop using patients as bargaining chips.
Meanwhile, the union defended its plans for industrial action, saying patient safety was already being sacrificed by a depleted health system.
The ASMS union sought a 12 percent pay increase from the health agency and was met with an offer of between 1-1.5 percent.
Health New Zealand chief clinical officer Dr Richard Sullivan said they remained focused on reaching a settlement with ASMS, and avoiding disruption to patients and the wider health system.
"We believe that proposals presented in bargaining to date are fair, given the current economic situation."
"It's really important, in a lower inflation environment, that we manage the negotiation well and we want it resolved," Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said during a media stand-up in London, but ultimately, bargaining was a decision between Health New Zealand and the unions.
"What we're focused on is making sure that patients are getting the services that they need."
Luxon said the government wanted to see better delivery from the healthcare system, including lowered waiting lists and timely access to services.
The ASMS has about 6100 members, including about 5500 employed by Te Whatu Ora.
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