THE FACTS
- Healthcare workers face verbal and physical assaults, with 455 verbal and 140 physical incidents reported at Rotorua and Taupō Hospitals.
- At Tauranga and Whakatāne Hospitals, 477 verbal assaults and 467 physical assaults were recorded on health staff during the same period.
- Other sectors, including retail and emergency services, have also experienced abuse and assaults.
No one goes to work to get verbally abused or physically assaulted.
But unfortunately, that is exactly what happens in some work sectors and professions across New Zealand – and it is unacceptable.
Examples that have been in the news previously include police officers, healthcare workers, retail staff, road workers, and surf lifesavers.
Healthcare is back in the spotlight this week, with a Rotorua Hospital nurse reporting that she has been verbally abused at work, and that frontline staff are often shouted at and sworn at during long emergency department wait times.
Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora figures, obtained under the Official Information Act, showed 455 verbal assaults were recorded on health staff between January 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025, at Rotorua and Taupō Hospitals.
This included 65 in Rotorua Hospital’s Emergency Department.
During the same period, 140 physical assaults on health staff were recorded.
At Tauranga and Whakatāne Hospitals, 477 verbal assaults were recorded on health staff during the same period, including 80 in Tauranga Hospital’s Emergency Department.
There were 467 recorded physical assaults on Tauranga and Whakatāne Hospital health staff. Sixty-one were at Tauranga’s emergency department.
Fifty assaults at Tauranga and Whakatāne Hospitals required medical intervention for injuries, including bruising, abrasions, bites, sprains/strains, concussion and dislocation.
Hospital environments can be stressful. People are there because they are sick or injured. Doctors and nurses do an amazing job, but there are never enough of them.
Frustration can understandably mount when people turn up at hospital emergency departments and face long waits, sometimes lasting many hours.
There are other jobs where workers encounter frustrated people.
An editorial published by this newspaper in October last year pointed out that it was shocking that a road worker survey found nearly two-thirds of traffic controllers were verbally abused weekly.
One in five had also been physically assaulted over the past year.
Frontline emergency workers are also often in the firing line, with the nature of policing putting officers in harm’s way.
This extends to those trying to keep people safe on our beaches.
The Bay of Plenty Times reported last January that a surf lifesaver was left in tears after a member of the public verbally abused her as she was returning to shore after going to the aid of a swimmer at Mount Maunganui beach.
The man then pushed another lifeguard who tried to intervene.
In 2021, the Bay of Plenty Times editorialised that it was disappointing to hear volunteer lifeguards had copped verbal abuse when warning people away from dangerous swells at Mount Main Beach.
Retailers have also been targeted. In 2019, the Rotorua Daily Post reported how Rotorua CBD retailers had raised safety fears, and some reported being afraid after being verbally abused and threatened.
Others to face harassment and threats include elected council members.
Whakatāne District Council Kāpū-te-rangi Māori ward councillor Toni Boynton and newly elected Bay of Plenty Regional Council Kōhi Māori ward councillor Mawera Karetai spoke out about the issue after last year’s local body elections.
It is appropriate that some businesses and organisations take preventive steps, such as teaching staff how to de-escalate volatile situations and stay safe.
Notices in public areas and automated phone messages that ask people to be respectful, making it clear that abuse will not be tolerated, can also be helpful.
Support for staff after an incident is critical.
All of this should not be necessary, though. Abusing, threatening or assaulting workers is unacceptable. Greater tolerance and respect are called for.
There is no excuse for getting angry and hurting someone who is just doing their job.