Auckland Hospital's emergency department was so overwhelmed on Monday that several ambulances were forced to divert to Middlemore and North Shore hospitals instead.
Te Whatu Ora describes that action as sharing the load, but some on the frontline call it a "total systemic failure".
There are issues in the regions too.
Health Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall is only months into the job and she is already under the pump.
She had a round table with nurses about pay and then faced questions about what on earth is going on at Auckland Hospital.
"I'm aware that there has been pressure at Auckland Hospital, including on ambulances," Dr Verrall said.
On Monday, six ambulances were diverted from an over-capacity Auckland Hospital to North Shore and Middlemore hospitals.
Te Whatu Ora called it deploying and sharing resources, but one nurse told Newshub it's a "total systemic failure". Another employee said "everybody is very concerned".
"My expectation is Te Whatu Ora has an integrated plan across prevention, primary care and hospital management for winter," Dr Verrall said.
Te Whatu Ora said what happened this week is rare, but those on the frontline suggest it was simply a matter of time.
"It's a huge concern for all of us. We know, with absolute certainty, that our numbers will increase over winter [and] that's without a doubt. That means that our hospitals will be busier, primary care will be busier and our emergency departments will definitively be busier," Australasian College for Emergency Medicine's Kate Allen told Newshub.
On Wednesday, Te Whatu Ora Auckland assured Newshub it's working with other areas to improve services as winter approaches.
Te Whatu Ora says Auckland hospitals regularly work together to share demand, meaning patients could be transferred to get "appropriate and timely care".
Despite the serious concerns of frontline health staff, the health service says this is part of a wider "acute demand strategy", which is "recognised internationally".
Newshub made two requests for an interview with Te Whatu Ora on Wednesday, but was told no one was available.
Te Whatu Ora says Auckland hospitals regularly work together to share demand, meaning patients could be transferred to get “appropriate and timely care”.
Despite the serious concerns of frontline health staff, the health service says this is part of a wider “acute demand strategy”, which is “recognised internationally”.
Newshub made two requests for an interview with Te Whatu Ora on Wednesday, but was told no one was available.
"I've directed Te Whatu Otra to have a focus on it. They will be reporting back with the details of that plan," Dr Verrall said.
But Auckland isn't alone. Just this week, Te Whatu Ora Mid Central went public about wait times, saying it was working through pre-winter issues.
The experts said there are no longer easy fixes for a health system that's been under pressure for years.
"The issues leading to this happening are not rare. So the fact that our emergency departments are overcrowded, that we have blocks getting into the hospital, and a deficiency of space within the departments for those patients needing to come in - that has been building," Allen said.
Another Auckland health worker who approached Newshub told us the sentiment on their ward is "we are screwed".
Ominous signs - and winter is coming.
