A 74-year-old woman died in Dunedin Hospital after repeated delays for surgery to her broken leg

The woman waited four days for surgery - after being knocked over by a dog in 2021 as she walked her own pet.

She died from cardiac issues, after a pulmonary embolism and stroke during surgery - and Open Justice reports the delay was the "root cause".

The Health and Disability Commissioner says other factors include her priority status not being changed, and possible dehydration.

Health New Zealand says it's made a number of changes specifically on reducing delayed access to operating theatres.