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Employment contract negotiations between nurses and district health boards resumed yesterday, during which it emerged New Zealand Defence Force nurses were called in during the nurse's strike two weeks ago.
The 17 Defence Force nurses - including two who worked in Invercargill - were called in to maintain life-preserving services during the 24-hour strike, held on July 12-13.
Yesterday, Defence Minister Ron Mark made a ministerial statement to Parliament about the nurses' roles, something he was obliged to do under the Defence Act.
''This modest provision was made to assist the overall effort by the Ministry of Health and district health boards to maintain life-preserving services and continuity of care at locations across New Zealand in the event of industrial action,'' Mr Mark said.
''I commend the Defence Force for being able to move quickly and provide high-quality support.''
National health spokesman Michael Woodhouse said Defence Force nurses had only been called upon in such circumstances three times previously - during the 1951 waterfront strike and twice in corrections facilities during strike action.
''It would never have been envisaged that Defence Force medical personnel be deployed to our own hospitals to provide life-preserving services to New Zealanders in peacetime,'' he said.
''When we're calling in the army ... to staff our hospitals during an industrial dispute, it behooves this government to settle this action and, actually, to be a little bit more upfront with New Zealanders about what they're doing and when.''
Health Minister David Clark said his key priority before the nurses' strike was making sure safe staffing was in place, and he thanked Defence Force personnel for their help.
Talks between the New Zealand Nursing Organisation and DHBs adjourned yesterday afternoon and resume today.
''Both NZNO and DHBs are focused on reaching a settlement and will be in a position to provide further detail late afternoon tomorrow,'' a joint statement said.