Patients are waiting too long for heart surgery

In the week to December 8, 81-percent of patients needing treatment within 11 to 30 days faced delays.

Auckland City Hospital data from the end of October reveals 84-percent of patients waited too long.

Nationwide, just over half of all patients waited beyond their allocated treatment timeframe.

Health New Zealand says acute demand, capacity restrictions and high volumes can lead to delays - and hospitals are working to shorten surgical wait times.