Auckland's major public hospitals are warning patients to expect long delays in getting test results next week.
Members of the Medical Laboratory Workers Union are to strike for 48 hours on Monday and Tuesday at Auckland District Health Board, and on Tuesday and Wednesday at Counties Manukau.
The strikes over pay will affect Auckland City Hospital, Starship Children's Hospital, the Greenlane clinical centre and Middlemore Hospital.
The DHBs' regional spokesperson, Ngaire Buchanan, says tests will be available from non-union staff and in emergencies.
Ms Buchanan is apologising in advance to patients, but says the situation is out of the control of the district health boards.
