Patients with severe mental health problems are reportedly waiting for up to 72 hours for care in South Auckland because of a shortage of staff

The region's 24-hour crisis response team is short of four full-time doctors and three nurses, and is struggling to recruit people because of strict limits on new hires.

PSA health team leader Ashok Kumar says frontline workers are reporting the shortage means there are delays for acute care.

Health New Zealand confirmed the service was affected by high demand and vacancies, but it's not aware of specific instances of delayed treatment for acute cases.