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Primary Health Care Wage Agreement Reached But Pay Parity Still Needed To Retain Nurses
Monday, 24 March 2025, 2:44 pm | New Zealand Nurses Organisation
NZNO’s College of Primary Health Care Nurses chair Tracey Morgan says there was overwhelming support for the Multi Employment Collective Agreement offer for an immediate increase of 5% followed by a further 3% in July. More >>
Game-Changer In Cancer Care: Mobile Imaging Brings Gallium-68 Dotatate PET-CT Scans To Patients
Monday, 24 March 2025, 1:25 pm | Mobile Health
Mobile Health Group and Mercy Radiology partnered together in 2024 to roll out Mobile Imaging – New Zealand’s first state-of-the-art mobile PET-CT unit, designed to travel across regions, ensuring that PET-CT scans are no longer confined to urban ... More >>
New Zealand’s First Cross-Party Parliamentary Group On Rare And Undiagnosed Disorders Established
Monday, 24 March 2025, 1:19 pm | Rare Disorders NZ
Rare Disorders New Zealand initiated the establishment of the group, which was supported by Hon. David Seymour, Associate Minister of Health, with the inaugural meeting being hosted in the Minister’s office. More >>
How CBD Can Assist With Pain Management
Saturday, 22 March 2025, 2:37 pm | Hugh Grant
One of the primary reasons people turn to CBD for pain relief is the potential to avoid the side effects of traditional pain medications. Prescription opioids, while effective, carry a high risk of addiction and dependency. More >>
Vaping A Gateway To Smoking, Study Shows
Friday, 21 March 2025, 4:09 pm | University of Auckland
The new research, from Cancer Council NSW, the University of Sydney’s Daffodil Centre, and University of Auckland, on vaping and smoking trends among New Zealand adolescents is challenging previous findings used to lobby against effective e-cigarette ... More >>
Australian & New Zealand Fragility Fracture Registry Annual Report 2025
Friday, 21 March 2025, 2:16 pm | ANZFFR
The ultimate goal of the ANZFFR is to use data to improve health system performance and maximise outcomes for people with fragility fractures by improving secondary fracture prevention, reducing rates of further fragility fractures and their associated More >>
Unleash The Power Of Purple For Purple Day
Friday, 21 March 2025, 12:08 pm | Epilepsy NZ
Purple Day is more than just about wearing purple. It’s about creating understanding, offering hope, and giving people living with epilepsy the support they need. This day helps shine a light on the fact that epilepsy affects real people in our communities, ... More >>
The Inspirational Taranaki Community That’s Just Hit 100% Childhood Immunisations
Friday, 21 March 2025, 9:52 am | Health New Zealand
Hawera in Taranaki has managed to achieve a milestone many communities across the country are striving to reach. The team at South Taranaki Rural Health Group recently struck 100 per cent fully immunised for all enrolled children under 8 months old. ... More >>
Report Confirms That Mental Health And Addiction Programmes Are A Sound Investment
Thursday, 20 March 2025, 9:51 pm | Platform Trust
The release of this report demonstrates that community and local NGOs have the capability to scale up and meet challenges in the health sector. More >>
Round Two AI In Primary Care Survey Highlights Growing Adoption
Thursday, 20 March 2025, 5:42 pm | General Practice NZ
With 256 participants, the survey found that 68% of respondents now use AI tools—up from 52% in the first round. Notably, daily AI use has risen from 25% to 40%, highlighting the growing contribution of these technologies in primary care. More >>
Building Awareness For Primary Progressive Aphasia In NZ
Thursday, 20 March 2025, 4:21 pm | Aphasia New Zealand Charitable Trust
World’s first Primary Progressive Aphasia Awareness Day 4th April, 2025 More >>
Health Warning – Algal Bloom In Lake Hood
Thursday, 20 March 2025, 3:47 pm | Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
Dr Annabel Begg, Public Health Medicine Specialist for the National Public Health Service, says the algal bloom can produce toxins harmful to humans and animals. More >>
Driving Endurance And Support For Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand
Thursday, 20 March 2025, 2:01 pm | Multiple Sclerosis New Zealand
Covering thousands of kilometres through less-travelled roads and awe-inspiring landscapes, the rally aims to raise vital funds and awareness for MS New Zealand and other charitable causes championed by Rotary. More >>
Pharmac Proposes To Fund More Medicines For Melanoma
Thursday, 20 March 2025, 1:53 pm | PHARMAC
Pharmac’s Director Pharmaceuticals, Geraldine MacGibbon, says funding these medicines would provide more treatment options to use around the time of surgery, or if people’s cancer is at a later stage and they can’t have surgery. More >>
Community Effort Needed To Raise Vaccination Rates Against Canine Parvovirus
Thursday, 20 March 2025, 12:27 pm | NZ Veterinary Association
Parvovirus is a highly contagious, potentially fatal viral disease affecting the dog’s gastrointestinal tract. It can be passed on when dogs sniff, lick or eat contaminated faeces, or through encountering food and water bowls, or footwear that ... More >>
Digital Health Association Excited By Government Announcement
Thursday, 20 March 2025, 11:40 am | Digital Health Association
The announcement about the electronic controlled drug register follows the release earlier this month of the Government’s five health priorities. More >>
RNZAF Flight Delivers Much-Needed Medical Chairs To Samoa
Thursday, 20 March 2025, 10:42 am | RNZAF
The Hercules left RNZAF Base Auckland on Wednesday on its way to the United States, with a scheduled stop in Apia. More >>
Dental Association Share’s Top Tips For A Healthy Mouth On World Oral Health Day
Thursday, 20 March 2025, 8:48 am | New Zealand Dental Association
Brushing with fluoridated toothpaste for two minutes, twice a day is the cornerstone of good oral health. This should be done after breakfast and just before bed. Taking a toothbrush to work to brush after lunch is another thing one can do to further ... More >>
Research Finds Significant Shortfalls In Early Intervention Psychosis Services
Wednesday, 19 March 2025, 2:46 pm | Victoria University of Wellington
The study surveyed 12 early intervention psychosis services in NZ, assessing them against international standards for care. These services were set up to provide treatment for people suffering from psychosis symptoms, such as hallucinations & delusions, ... More >>
Celebrate World Down Syndrome Day With The Big Connect – A Global Call To “Improve Our Support Systems”
Wednesday, 19 March 2025, 2:30 pm | NZDSA
This year’s global theme, 'Improve Our Support Systems,' set by Down Syndrome International (DSi), urges all governments to take immediate action to improve support systems by creating better, more effective services for people with Down syndrome and their ... More >>
NZVA Supports Work To Speed Up Availability Of New Veterinary Medicines
Wednesday, 19 March 2025, 2:15 pm | NZ Veterinary Association
While doing this work, it will be critical that any improvements maintain the balance between timely access to medicines and the evaluation required to protect animal health, public health, and the environment. More >>
Shaping The Future Of Lung Health: Smoking, E-Cigarettes, Occupational Lung Disease Take Centre Stage At TSANZSRS 2025
Wednesday, 19 March 2025, 2:09 pm | TSANZSRS
Experts will discuss the role of healthcare professionals in combating the e-cigarette epidemic and highlight the latest evidence-based strategies to reduce smoking and vaping rates across Australia and New Zealand. More >>
Raising Funds For Devices To Detect Heart Disease Early
Wednesday, 19 March 2025, 10:05 am | Kia Manawanui Trust The Heart of Aotearoa NZ
This week, The Heart of Aotearoa launched a campaign to get as many portable ECG devices into underserved communities across New Zealand. For every $350 raised, a GP practice or community-based specialist nurse will receive a KardiaMobile ECG, ... More >>
Critical Time For Māori: Iwi-owned Research Centre Marks Milestone
Tuesday, 18 March 2025, 8:20 pm | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
Whakauae Research Services is the only health research centre mandated and directly owned by an iwi entity, Rangitīkei iwi Ngāti Hauiti. More >>
Life X DNA Provides Personalised Genetic Insights For Health And Wellness
Tuesday, 18 March 2025, 7:43 pm | Life X DNA
Life X DNA’s testing services provide detailed reports covering key markers such as MTHFR, COMT, and APOE, helping individuals tailor their diet, supplementation, and lifestyle to their specific genetic profile. More >>
Health Warning Lifted For Health Warning Lifted For Algal Bloom In Hurunui River At State Highway 7 (SH7)
Tuesday, 18 March 2025, 5:15 pm | Health New Zealand
Recent cyanobacteria surveys of the Hurunui River have shown that the cover of potentially toxic algae (benthic cyanobacteria) in the river has reduced and is now below levels of concern to public health. More >>
New National Strategy Launched To Combat World's Highest Skin Cancer Rates
Tuesday, 18 March 2025, 12:45 pm | MelNet
With the highest melanoma death rate in the world and 8 out of 10 cancers diagnosed being skin cancer, urgent action is needed to protect New Zealanders. Without intervention, the projected cost to New Zealand is set to reach nearly $500 million by 2025. More >>
Whakauae Research Marks 20 Years Of Advancing Hauora Māori
Tuesday, 18 March 2025, 11:17 am | Whakauae Research Services
The day began with a mihi whakatau and karakia led by haukāinga, Luke Tumihau Enoka, welcoming manuhiri from across Aotearoa. This set the tone for a celebration honouring the organisation’s rich history. More >>
New Psychology Training To Boost NZ’s Mental Health Workforce
Tuesday, 18 March 2025, 6:14 am | Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
Sue Dashfield, Group Manager Enablement for Health NZ, says there was strong interest from tertiary education providers in the open procurement process in late 2024. More >>
Health Warning Lifted For Cass Bay | Motu-kauati-rahi, Duvauchelle Bay | Kaitouna And Tikao Bay | Ōkoropeke
Friday, 14 March 2025, 3:35 pm | Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
Dr Cheryl Brunton, Medical Officer of Health for the National Public Health Service, says – “rainfall in the area in the last week was the likely cause of the high levels of faecal bacteria”. More >>
Search For Pharmac's New CE Underway
Friday, 14 March 2025, 10:47 am | PHARMAC
Board Chair Paula Bennett says the Board is looking for a mix of strategic and operational leadership to help Pharmac become a more outward-focused, empathetic organisation. More >>
Iwi-Māori Partnership Unveils Plan To Boost Health Outcomes From Taumarunui To Whanganui
Thursday, 13 March 2025, 7:39 am | Moana Ellis - Local Democracy Reporter
A strategic five-year plan aims to address Māori health inequities, says Te Mātuku Iwi-Māori Partnership Board manu taiko/chief executive Elijah Pue. More >>
Te Mātuku Launches Community Health Plan To Enhance Māori Wellbeing
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 8:22 pm | Te Matuku
The plan emphasises key health priorities, including mental health and wellbeing, rural access and healthcare sustainability, mokopuna ora (child and adolescent wellbeing), kaumātua ora (health of older peoples), and preventative health initiatives. More >>
Urgent Call To Prioritise Kidney Disease As Dialysis Demand Soars
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 7:55 pm | Kidney Health NZ
KHNZ Board Member and kidney specialist Dr Curtis Walker (Te Whakatōhea, Ngāti Porou) says chronic kidney disease is on the rise in New Zealand and long-term planning and a strategy are urgently needed. More >>
Sustainable Funding For Hospices
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 7:20 pm | Hospice NZ
Hospices Under Significant Cost Pressure – New Funding Model Urgently Needed As Report Shows The Real Value Of Hospices To Health System More >>
Veterinary Council Welcomes Change Allowing Dental Procedures To Be Performed By Veterinary Nurses
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 11:34 am | Veterinary Council Of New Zealand
Veterinary nurses doing these procedures will free up time for veterinarians to deliver more advanced care and treatment. More >>
NZVA Celebrates Welcome Additional Support From Veterinary Nurses
Wednesday, 12 March 2025, 9:44 am | NZ Veterinary Association
NZVA Companion Animal Veterinarians Branch Immediate Past President Natalie Lloyd said it was great to hear vet nurses would once again be able to perform subgingival (below the gum line) procedures on cats and dogs that are under general anaesthesia. More >>
Bright Minds, Bright Futures: The Child & Adolescent Mental Health Conference Returns To The Gold Coast
Tuesday, 11 March 2025, 7:17 pm | Child Adolescent Mental Health Conference
The 2025 conference theme, Bright Minds, Bright Futures: Enhancing Child and Adolescent Wellbeing, reflects the ongoing commitment to reshaping the future of youth mental health through collaboration, innovation, and evidence-based approaches. More >>
Desogestrel Funding A Major Boost For Endometriosis Patients
Tuesday, 11 March 2025, 2:11 pm | Endometriosis New Zealand
"Pharmac's decision is a vital step towards ensuring that every person with endometriosis can access desogestrel, regardless of their financial situation." More >>
Hāpai Te Hauora Calls For Equitable Bowel Screening
Monday, 10 March 2025, 1:32 pm | Hapai Te Hauora
Targeted bowel screening pilots have already proven to be successful. Hāpai Te Hauora urges the government to reinstate targeted funding to ensure equitable screening access and better health outcomes for Māori and Pacific communities. More >>
New Insulin Medicine Proposed For People With Diabetes
Monday, 10 March 2025, 1:06 pm | PHARMAC
The new medicine (branded as Ryzodeg) is a combination of two other medicines: insulin degludec (an ultra-long-acting insulin) and insulin aspart (a rapid-acting insulin). More >>
Concerns Grow Over Lack Of Oversight In Private Healthcare
Sunday, 9 March 2025, 12:36 pm | Health Consumer Advocacy Alliance
Relieving the pressure on our overstretched health system is necessary, but without strong oversight, private hospitals may prioritise efficiency and financial incentives over safety, leaving patients vulnerable to harm. More >>
Experts On Why Bowel Cancer Screening Changes Are A Concern
Friday, 7 March 2025, 8:49 pm | RNZ
Cancelling a plan to lower the age for Māori has been described as "institutionalised racism", though some experts say the move overall will save lives. More >>
Government Prioritises Digital Health Infrastructure After A Year Of Setbacks
Friday, 7 March 2025, 6:18 pm | Digital Health Association
"It’s encouraging to see the Government recognise that digital infrastructure is not just a ‘nice to have’ but an essential pillar of a functioning health system," says DHA chief executive Ryl Jensen. More >>
Yet More Government Health Plans And Priorities: NZNO
Friday, 7 March 2025, 6:15 pm | NZNO
NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku says the Minister’s acknowledgement of the issues facing the health system is good for patients and health care workers. More >>
Unsafe Recreational Water Quality At Motu-kauati-rahi, Duvauchelle Bay/ Kaitouna And Tikao Bay/ Ōkoropeke
Friday, 7 March 2025, 3:41 pm | Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
Dr Ramon Pink, Medical Officer of Health for the National Public Health Service, says “Water quality at affected sites is not considered suitable for recreational uses including swimming because of the risk to health from the bacteria and other ... More >>
Nurses Call To Revive Pay Equity Claims
Friday, 7 March 2025, 2:39 pm | New Zealand Nurses Organisation
NZNO President Anne Daniels says there are many hurdles to cross before women in Aotearoa are paid fairly and equally. More >>
Health Warning Lifted At Ōtaia River At Ōtaia Gorge & Waihao River At Bradshaws Bridge And Gum Tree Road
Friday, 7 March 2025, 11:24 am | Health New Zealand
Latest water testing results show faecal bacteria levels in Ōtaia River at Ōtaia Gorge, and Waihao River at Bradshaws Bridge & Gum Tree Road are now below guideline values and the health warning issued on 21 Feb 2025 has been removed with the water ... More >>
Largest Iwi Māori Partnership Board Welcomes Bowel Screening Expansion & Calls For Māori-Focused Equity In Access
Friday, 7 March 2025, 9:46 am | Te Tiratu
“Screening is an essential tool for prevention and early detection, and expanding access will definitely save lives,” said Hagen Tautari, co-chair Te Tiratū Iwi Māori Partnership Board. More >>
Alignment With Australia’s Bowel Screening Programme - What Will The Government’s Promise Actually Mean?
Friday, 7 March 2025, 9:39 am | Federation of Womens Health Councils
The lack of discussion about the positivity threshold is worrisome and further concerning as NZ’s programme has not yet been fully evaluated. More >>
Hey Minister, How About Saving 700 Lives?
Friday, 7 March 2025, 9:03 am | Prostate Cancer Foundation
“While it’s admirable that Minister Brown has increased the eligibility for bowel cancer screening, funded more kiwis to train as doctors, and injected $285 million into general practice, it’s disappointing that once again there’s nothing for ... More >>
New Zealanders Warned – Lifestyle Choices Could Be Harming Brain Health
Friday, 7 March 2025, 8:41 am | Dementia New Zealand
“There’s a growing body of evidence showing that what we do throughout our lives influences our brain health as we age,” she says. “We want people to understand that brain health isn’t just something to think about later in life. It starts ... More >>
Health Warning - Unsafe Recreational Water Quality Temuka River And Waihi River
Thursday, 6 March 2025, 5:15 pm | Health New Zealand
Dr Ramon Pink, Medical Officer of Health for the National Public Health Service, says “Water quality at affected sites is not considered suitable for recreational uses including swimming because of the risk to health from the bacteria and other ... More >>
Cyanobacteria Health Warning Placed On Lake Rotokaeo
Thursday, 6 March 2025, 4:46 pm | Health New Zealand
“People should avoid any activity in or near these lakes that could lead to skin contact with the affected water, or the water being swallowed,” says Medical Officer of Health Dr Richard Vipond. More >>
Changes To Bowel Screening Age At The Expense Of Māori Programme Deeply Disturbing
Thursday, 6 March 2025, 4:04 pm | NZ College of Public Health Medicine
Bowel screening saves lives. Early-stage cancers have a much better chance of being treated successfully. Most Māori diagnosed with bowel cancer are under the age of 60, compared to just under a third of non-Māori. More >>
Nurses Call For Bowel Screening Changes To Be Reversed
Thursday, 6 March 2025, 3:19 pm | New Zealand Nurses Organisation
Bowel Cancer New Zealand has said removing the younger screening eligibility would result in 100,000 Māori and Pacific people aged 50 not getting earlier screening. These people are at greater risk of having later stage bowel cancer when they are ... More >>
Chronic Staff Shortages At Palmerston North Hospital: Services Could Be Paused
Thursday, 6 March 2025, 11:07 am | Patient Voice Aotearoa
States chair of PVA, Malcolm Mulholland “Given the number of chronic staff shortages affecting departments within the hospital, and much like what is happening with surveillance colonoscopies, I have been warned that certain services are under threat of being ... More >>
Vape Companies Hunt Loopholes Ahead Of Law Change
Thursday, 6 March 2025, 10:23 am | Asthma and Respiratory Foundation
The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation is calling out vape retailers for their blatant attempts to bypass the new laws aimed at protecting our tamariki. More >>
University Welcomes Primary Care Announcements
Wednesday, 5 March 2025, 4:39 pm | University of Auckland
The government’s announcements this week of support for more locally trained doctors and nurses to work in primary care are welcomed by the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences Dean, Professor Warwick Bagg and Head of Nursing ... More >>
Brain Health Wake-Up Call: Simple Advice From NZ Memory Experts For Brain Awareness Month In March
Wednesday, 5 March 2025, 3:46 pm | Brainfit
The brain continues to grow and adapt throughout life, and we have the power to influence three of the four key factors that contribute to brain aging. In this article, Brainfit shares simple yet powerful ways to boost your memory and overall brain health. More >>
