Pay claims from teachers and nurses will be negotiated in good faith by the Government

Community midwives got a nine percent top up in their fees in the Budget, to bring them on a par with those working for DHBs.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson says the Government is aware of pay claims from nurses and teachers and he can understand their frustration.

Robertson says they've had a long period of not being funded well, and there is money for operational funding.

He's not saying how much though, because negotiations are about to start.