Senior Te Whatu Ora doctors and dentists feel they've been pushed into strike action by a poor pay offer.

About 5000 staff will be striking from September 5. 

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins hopes issues raised in the looming strike will be resolved before then.

ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Hipkins kept encouraging doctors and dentists to 'go back around the bargaining table'- as this could create more bad press for the Government.

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Senior Te Whatu Ora doctors and dentists feel they've been pushed into strike action by a poor pay offer.
About 5000 staff will be striking from September 5. 
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins hopes issues raised in the looming strike will be resolved before then.
ZB senior political correspondent Barry Soper says Hipkins kept encouraging doctors and dentists to 'go back around the bargaining table'- as this could create more bad press for the Government.
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.