Abstract: A dual presentation. This abstract gives only the research section of the presentation.A description of the data base components for Wellington Hospital Board Nursing Manpower Planning, which includes;Patients-: population based, bed based, best estimate, average daily bed occupancy andcategories.Nurses-: categories, whole time equivalents, attrition, nursing hours available, nursing hours lost.Finance.Assumptions for patient and nursing staff projections to 1986 are given.Financial constraints and the “buying” of nurses.A proportion of nursing positions are fixed by establishments and policy. The degree of flexibility remaining to “buy” differing categories of nursing staff