Around 200 nurses have walked off the job in Whanganui, demanding fairer pay and safer working conditions.
Nurses rostered to work on Wednesday instead gathered at the Cobham Bridge roundabout armed with flags and picket signs from 11am.
Whanganui nurse and NZNO member Carmel Scott said the action was a last resort for nurses.
"A lot of people think this is about money, but this is also about safe staffing.
"People just want to be able to go to their job, do a job right and take care of their patients. With the staffing and lack of nursing we have at the moment, that's not possible."