Health New Zealand's confirmed it's recruiting for Taranaki Base Hospital

The Resident Doctors' Association claims staff shortages mean patients have waited in hospital corridors on stretchers - for up to 24 hours.

HNZ Taranaki Director, Katy Sheffield, says patients would never stay in a corridor 24 hours - but EDs are often full during winter months.

She says about 0.4 percent of patients spent 24 hours in ED - and they're committed to staff and patient safety.