The Lakes District Health Boards says claims from APEX surrounding negotiations are "incorrect and misleading".

In a statement released to media today, APEX says Anaesthetic Technicians at Rotorua Hospital have walked off the job this morning to begin an unprecedented 5-day strike from 8am today through to 8am Saturday February 23.

'We believe we could have reached a deal and avoided this needless strike,” says Luke Coxon in the statement.

APEX claims the difference between the DHBs pay offer for settlement and their offer is a total additional cost of $25,000. The union says interference from Wellington seems to have prevented settlement.

The other issue is the need to keep adequate breaks between periods of work for our members, says Luke.

"These breaks are essential for the safety of both our members and patients. The DHB agreed to this early in bargaining, but then abruptly reversed their position. We understand that this was also on the instruction of the Minister.

'The DHB is postponing or cancelling hundreds of elective surgeries, at an estimated cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

'This includes sending patients to private hospitals. It is mind-boggling that the Minister of Health would be so short sighted as to let this happen. The people of Rotorua deserve better; this strike should not be happening," says Luke.

Comments by APEX that the Ministry of Health and the Minister of Health are interfering in the bargaining process between DHBs and unions are incorrect and misleading, says a statement from the Lakes District Health Board.

"DHBs are responsible for negotiating settlements, not the Ministry or the Minister. DHBs consult with the Ministry during bargaining, as required by legislation.

"The New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000 allows DHB Chief Executives to enter into a collective agreement subject to consultation with the Director-General of Health. As part of the consultation process, settlement offers are assessed against the Government Expectations on Employment Relations in the State Sector.

"The Government communicated its Expectations in March 2018 and, consistent with previous Government Expectations, included a requirement that where an agency is seeking to pursue a course of action in bargaining that is at odds with the Government's stated Expectations, then ministerial approval is required."

A copy of the Government Expectations on Employment Relations in the State Sector can be found on the State Services Commission website.