Budget overlooks widespread Long Covid illness

by Louise Thornley – Last updated:

Media Release: Long Covid Support Aotearoa, Thursday 28 March 2026

Today’s Budget appears to contain no clearly identifiable dedicated funding for Long Covid treatment or support. Yet the latest New Zealand Health Survey estimates 4.3% of adults – around 185,000 people – are living with Long Covid symptoms.

Long Covid may now affect a similar number of people to some of New Zealand’s most common chronic health conditions including ischaemic heart disease and gout.

Routine health services are expected to manage Long Covid without specific resourcing or specialist pathways, leaving these patients to navigate a disabling condition through an already overstretched health system. While Budget 2026 has $5.5 billion of new funding for frontline health services, the budget papers state this will only cover current health policy settings.

Although there have been small pockets of funding for Long Covid research and clinical guidance in the past, this has not translated into funded care pathways, coordinated services or specialist support. Unlike many comparable countries, New Zealand has no sustained national funding for Long Covid clinics, with only one publicly funded clinic (in Taranaki).

Many Long Covid patients struggle to get enough support from their GP or other primary care providers. Without training or dedicated care pathways, it can be hard for busy GPs to stay up to date with current best practice and emerging approaches to care.

“People with Long Covid cannot recover on guidelines alone,” said Larisa Hockey, Chair of Long Covid Support Aotearoa.

“For too many New Zealanders, Long Covid means losing health, work, financial security and quality of life – but there is still no sign of healthcare funding or support to match the scale of the problem.”

Hockey said the absence of visible targeted funding risks leaving patients without timely care.

“Long Covid is not niche – it is now a mainstream health problem. And it is not going away. We need urgency and a clear national strategy for Long Covid so people are not left to manage this life-altering condition alone.”

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Note: New Zealand health experts have repeatedly called for a national approach to Long Covid, for example:

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