Latest Health Headlines
Learn To Be An EpiPen® Lifesaver This Allergy Awareness Week
Friday, 9 May 2025, 2:40 pm | Allergy New Zealand
Allergy New Zealand is calling on Kiwis to learn how to use an EpiPen® this Allergy Awareness Week (11-17 May). Allergy NZ Chief Executive Mark Dixon said; “We want all Kiwis to feel confident to act in an allergy emergency, just as we would with ... More >>
International Nurses Day The Braemar Way
Friday, 9 May 2025, 2:38 pm | Braemar Hospital
The hospital's 165 nurses will continue their dedicated patient care while being given special moments to be appreciated by their colleagues throughout the month of May. More >>
‘Giant In Stroke Research’ Focuses On Role Of Nurses
Friday, 9 May 2025, 1:16 pm | University of Auckland
Slark’s promotion to professor recognised her excellence in research and teaching, yet associatehead of school (pre-registration programmes) Dr Lisa Stewart said what makes her so exceptional is that everything she does comes from a place of caring. More >>
Youthline Advocates For Youth Voice On Proposed Social Media Ban
Friday, 9 May 2025, 12:37 pm | Youthline
Ronald said this is even more important in the face of rising rates of mental health distress being seen through its national Helpline, and an overstretched mental health system. More >>
Good News For Many Advanced Melanoma Patients: Pharmac Drug Funding Announcement Confirms Better Treatment Options
Friday, 9 May 2025, 9:35 am | Melanoma New Zealand
Many New Zealand patients with stage 3B to stage 4 melanoma will now have a much-needed lifeline in their fight against this insidious disease with free access to potentially life-saving and life-extending treatment options. More >>
Shining A Light On STIs
Friday, 9 May 2025, 8:50 am | Hugh Grant
If you choose to be sexually active, it is important to get frequently tested, use external and internal condoms, and become vaccinated after exposure. More >>
New Bill A Vital Step Towards Tobacco-Free Future In Aotearoa
Friday, 9 May 2025, 7:54 am | Health Coalition Aotearoa
This landmark legislation gives real force to Article 5.3 of the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control-an agreement New Zealand signed over two decades ago but has never been properly embedded into law. More >>
Early Teen Stress Tied To School And Identity, Study Finds
Thursday, 8 May 2025, 1:02 pm | University of Canterbury
The significance of the high school transition was reflected in the teens’ responses. Workload or getting good grades, making new friends, and trying to fit in were the most common sources of stress. More >>
Major Instability: Risk Of Service Disruption For Health Sector
Wednesday, 7 May 2025, 2:28 pm | Home and Community Health Association
Many essential home services rely on fully funded contracts, but funding has eroded over time and pay rates have been diminishing. The pay equity process with unions and employers has identified undervaluation and discrimination, which must be addressed. More >>
New Test Could Help More Women Beat ‘Silent Killer’
Wednesday, 7 May 2025, 10:06 am | University of Auckland
The Director of Research at the University’s Centre for Cancer Research, Professor Andrew Shelling, says the new test is urgently needed, because many women are missing out on a potentially life-saving treatment for ovarian cancer at present. More >>
Vape Shops Cluster Around Schools
Wednesday, 7 May 2025, 8:01 am | Journal Of Public Health
Almost half of New Zealand schools are within a short walking distance of a specialist vape retailer, despite a law aimed at preventing vape stores near schools. More >>
‘Unsung Hero’: The Woman Redefining Parkinson’s Support For Pacific Families
Tuesday, 6 May 2025, 6:46 pm | Mary Afemata - Local Democracy Reporter
The Samoan woman from South Auckland received national recognition for founding Aotearoa’s first Pacific-focused Parkinson’s support group. More >>
Pay Equity Changes An Attack On Women: NZNO
Tuesday, 6 May 2025, 1:38 pm | New Zealand Nurses Organisation
NZNO chief executive Paul Goulter says nurses will be outraged that historical gender discrimination will not be addressed so the Government can save money. More >>
United For Asthma Awareness Week With Powerful Call To Action
Tuesday, 6 May 2025, 10:43 am | Asthma New Zealand
More than 1 million New Zealanders live with asthma or a respiratory condition. They are the third leading cause of death in Aotearoa and account for one in 11 hospital admissions for adults, with Māori and Pasifika communities among the hardest hit. More >>
Dr Gayle O’Duffy Honoured With 2025 Peter Snow Memorial Award At National Rural Health Conference
Tuesday, 6 May 2025, 9:11 am | Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network
For more than two decades, Gayle has been a cornerstone of rural health in her community. Quietly steadfast & deeply committed, her approach to healthcare is grounded in connection — not just treating individuals, but truly knowing them, their families, & the ... More >>
Gut Microbiome Link To ADHD Reinforced In Scientific Review
Monday, 5 May 2025, 7:57 pm | University of the Sunshine Coast
The link between a gut imbalance and symptoms of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder has been further supported by a University of the Sunshine Coast scientific review. More >>
Man, 71, Dies In Rest Home From Infected Wound Left Untreated
Monday, 5 May 2025, 4:30 pm | RNZ
The Health and Disability Commission investigation found a review of training for staff was needed. More >>
Bupa Under Scrutiny For Tax Practices As Workers Face Cuts
Monday, 5 May 2025, 12:42 pm | E Tu
E tū is calling for urgent reform and transparency in aged residential care funding, following the revelations that Bupa – the country’s second-largest provider – has paid just $12 million in income tax over the past decade, despite reporting nearly ... More >>
"Please Don’t Die Today" - A Mother’s Fight Against Asthma
Monday, 5 May 2025, 8:29 am | Asthma and Respiratory Foundation
This World Asthma Day (on Tuesday 6 May), Jade, 37, is sharing her story to raise awareness of those living with asthma. Jade was diagnosed in her late 20s with brittle asthma - a rare and severe form of the disease, more commonly referred to now as ... More >>
Midwives Critical In A Crisis
Monday, 5 May 2025, 7:14 am | New Zealand College of Midwives
Midwives are health professionals embedded in communities. Because they provide home-based care to families with new babies, they are uniquely aware of the challenges whānau are facing during a crisis. Midwives have invaluable knowledge to provide to contingency ... More >>
New Zealand To Host Global Rural Health Event; Leaders Spurred To Act
Sunday, 4 May 2025, 4:25 pm | RNZ
The rural healthcare sector is telling the government that the way New Zealand addresses health inequalities for rural and indigenous Māori patients will be under global scrutiny next year. More >>
Hīkoi for Health Reaches Final Leg – Heading to Parliament for May 8th Arrival
Sunday, 4 May 2025, 5:20 am | Hikoi for Health
They invite everyone to join on May 8th at Parliament grounds to hear a summary of the findings from their "People’s Inquiry." More >>
Run It Straight
Saturday, 3 May 2025, 6:13 pm | Headway
The ‘Run It Straight’ trend promotes unregulated, high-impact collisions that directly increase the risk of brain trauma. Protective gear offers limited defence when the brain is shaken within the skull. There is no safe way to engage in this ... More >>
Shellfish Biotoxin Warning For Western Firth Of Thames
Friday, 2 May 2025, 3:00 pm | New Zealand Food Safety
The warning extends from the mouth of the Waitakaruru River up to Pakatoa Island and across to the mid-point of the Firth. Pāua, crab and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in ... More >>
Moana Lei Events For Women’s Health
Friday, 2 May 2025, 12:54 pm | WellSouth
The events are designed to empower women, offering health information and health checks to them in a culturally safe and accessible space. More >>
New HHS Report Urges Therapy For Trans Youth
Friday, 2 May 2025, 12:15 pm | Family First New Zealand
The report says that many of these children and adolescents have co-occurring psychiatric or neurodevelopmental conditions, rendering them especially vulnerable, and is published against the backdrop of growing international concern about pediatric medical transition. More >>
Dr Stuart Jones Mischaracterises COPD Findings, Risks Driving Smokers Back To Cigarettes
Friday, 2 May 2025, 11:28 am | VIANZ
A recent statement by Dr. Stuart Jones claims “hard data” prove that vaping alone causes COPD. A closer look at the Nicotine & Tobacco Research paper does not support Dr Jones’s assertions and underscores vaping’s potential for ... More >>
Vaping Causes Incurable Lung Disease, Groundbreaking Study Shows
Thursday, 1 May 2025, 1:29 pm | Asthma and Respiratory Foundation of New Zealand
Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ Chief Executive Ms Letitia Harding says this study confirms what we’ve long suspected - vaping isn’t just risky, it’s dangerous to your health. More >>
Whānau Stop Smoking For World Smokefree May - That’s Us
Thursday, 1 May 2025, 10:37 am | Hapai Te Hauora
To launch the campaign, promotional videos from Stop Smoking Services are being rolled out nationwide and will be screened in hospitals and GP waiting rooms. More >>
Patient Care Still At Risk From Govt’s Deep Cuts To Health IT Workers
Thursday, 1 May 2025, 7:23 am | PSA
Health NZ Te Whatu Ora today confirmed deep cuts to the Data and Digital team, with impacted staff informed of their roles being disestablished and redeployment opportunities in the new structure. More >>
Regulators Removing Health Workforce Cultural Safety Risks Clinical Safety
Wednesday, 30 April 2025, 7:19 pm | Te Tiratu
Not The Time To Retreat — It’s Time To Double Down More >>
Auckland Theatre Nurses To Strike Tomorrow
Wednesday, 30 April 2025, 3:39 pm | New Zealand Nurses Organisation
NZNO delegate and perioperative nurse Alissa Baker says nurses are standing up against involuntary overtime. This stand is part of the current collective agreement bargaining between NZNO and Te Whatu Ora. More >>
Statement On Behalf Of The PHO Caucus*: PHO Services Agreement Amendment Protocol
Wednesday, 30 April 2025, 3:00 pm | GPNZ
The PHO Caucus is embarking on negotiations which begin tomorrow (1 May) in good faith, and welcomes the commitment on the part of Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora to conduct a transparent, collaborative and high trust process. More >>
Health Equity And Inclusion Remain Fundamental To #endMalaria
Wednesday, 30 April 2025, 2:26 pm | Citizen News Service
We cannot divorce equity and inclusion from malaria response. And we cannot dislocate #endMalaria goals from other SDGs for sustainable elimination of the disease worldwide “where no one is left behind.” More >>
AUT And Abbott Team Up To Tackle Concussions & Women’s Health
Wednesday, 30 April 2025, 12:10 pm | AUT
Under the collaboration, Abbott has installed the ARCHITECT® ci4100 analyser, one of its Core Laboratory platforms, in AUT’s SPRINZ biochemistry lab at AUT Millennium, a hub for many of New Zealand’s high-performance sports organisations and Olympic ... More >>
Nearly 400 Doctors Call For Caution And Care In Health Workforce Reform
Wednesday, 30 April 2025, 10:37 am | NZ Women in Medicine
While NZWIM supports efforts to streamline regulatory processes, it stresses that reform must be part of a wider strategy to address workforce shortages, staff wellbeing, and the sustainability of healthcare services. More >>
Hauora Taiwhenua Wins 21st WONCA World Rural Health Conference
Wednesday, 30 April 2025, 10:15 am | Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network
This is the first time the global rural health conference for family doctors has been hosted by New Zealand, and we are very proud to be able to provide this unbeatable opportunity to our rural health community. The Conference runs from 10-13 April 2026, ... More >>
ANZMES Advocates For Equitable Healthcare In Regulatory Reform Submission
Tuesday, 29 April 2025, 8:06 pm | ANZMES
In our submission, ANZMES emphasised the pressing need for systemic change, outlining practical and impactful solutions to enhance healthcare delivery for individuals with ME/CFS and other underserved communities. More >>
Healthcare Providers Funding Immunisations Out Of Own Pockets, Health NZ Admits 'Work To Do'
Tuesday, 29 April 2025, 6:18 pm | RNZ
Health NZ admits there is still some work to do, as Māori and Pacific immunisation providers say funding is too low to cover services. More >>
History Shows Patients At Risk From Physician Associates
Tuesday, 29 April 2025, 5:35 pm | New Zealand Nurses Organisation
The introduction of physician associates is an unnecessary quick and cheap fix to the doctor shortage when we have a competent and experienced nurse practitioner workforce available to do this work. More >>
Medical Council To Regulate The Physician Associate Profession
Tuesday, 29 April 2025, 4:37 pm | Medical Council of New Zealand
Council’s focus will be on setting clear and appropriate standards for PAs working in Aotearoa New Zealand, to ensure public safety. Regulation will provide clarity for patients, PAs, and doctors about the role and expectations of PAs within our ... More >>
Government Focus On Physician Associates A Distraction From Real Issues
Tuesday, 29 April 2025, 4:23 pm | General Practice Owners Association
The biggest change the government can make to improve health care is immediately invest in general practice to retain the GPs we have now and to make it more attractive for GPs to come to New Zealand. More >>
Protecting Our Youngest Citizens: Put People Before Profit In Infant Formula Rules
Tuesday, 29 April 2025, 4:15 pm | Health Coalition Aotearoa
Health Coalition Aotearoa supports a U-turn in the policy and a recommitment to the infant formula standard. We strongly oppose any move to prioritise corporate profits over population wellbeing. More >>
Alcohol And Mental Health Symposium At Parliament - 5 May 2025
Tuesday, 29 April 2025, 4:10 pm | Alcohol Healthwatch
We will be bringing a range of people together including those with lived experience, young people, professionals, and community champions from the wide range of sectors impacted by alcohol and mental health challenges. More >>
International Day Of Immunology 2025: Brain And Immunity
Tuesday, 29 April 2025, 1:35 pm | Malaghan Institute of Medical Research
Few conditions inspire more dread than the creeping shadow of neurodegenerative disease. At times, it feels almost taboo to talk about, perhaps because it touches on something deeper than physical decline. More >>
Health NZ Disappointed That Association Of Salaried Medical Specialists Strike To Go Ahead
Monday, 28 April 2025, 6:40 pm | RNZ
Hospitals and emergency departments will remain open, and the union is working with Health NZ to ensure life-preserving services continue. More >>
COVID-19 Inquiry Receives More Than 31,000 Submissions
Monday, 28 April 2025, 4:42 pm | Royal Commission Covid-19 Lessons Learned
“It’s clear that the pandemic is still top of mind for many people in Aotearoa New Zealand, particularly those areas like Auckland and Northland that were affected by longer lockdowns during the COVID-19 response,” says Grant Illingworth KC, Chair ... More >>
Health Warning Lifted For Algal Bloom In Lake Pegasus
Monday, 28 April 2025, 2:42 pm | Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
Dr Cheryl Brunton, Medical Officer of Health for the National Public Health Service, says monthly visual assessments and sampling of Lake Pegasus will be undertaken during the winter months, with fortnightly sampling of Lake Pegasus beginning again in September. More >>
Te Whatu Ora’s Failed Pay Offer Cements Strike Action For Senior Doctors
Monday, 28 April 2025, 2:21 pm | Association of Salaried Medical Specialists
"On an annualised basis, Te Whatu Ora’s offer would increase pay by 0.77 per cent," ASMS executive director Sarah Dalton says. More >>
Hanmer War Hospital Brought Back To Life
Saturday, 26 April 2025, 6:22 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
The former Soldiers' Block in Hanmer Springs has been restored, and a new Culverden war memorial unveiled on Anzac Day. More >>
Physician Associate Regulation ‘A Watershed Moment’ For NZ Health Sector
Saturday, 26 April 2025, 12:35 pm | Gore Health
It’s so exciting that the sector is finally going to get to truly appreciate and embrace the skills PAs bring to the table. Gore Health CEO Dr Karl Metzler said he would love to see a PA training programme up and running in New Zealand within three ... More >>
Physician Associates Regulation To Boost Access To Quality Care Across Aotearoa
Saturday, 26 April 2025, 12:32 pm | NZPAS
This long-anticipated move marks a major step toward improving timely access to high quality healthcare. More >>
Work To Finally Begin On Long-Awaited Rangiora After-Hours
Friday, 25 April 2025, 4:06 pm | David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter
Work is set to begin on the promised North Canterbury after-hours medical centre, with a funding agreement confirmed between South Link Health and the Waimakariri District Council. More >>
Low Risk To Public Health Following Fire At South Taranaki Hotel
Thursday, 24 April 2025, 4:06 pm | Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
Health New Zealand Medical Officer of Health Dr William Rainger says while testing of debris found asbestos in the building, there was a very low risk to public health. More >>
Public Submissions To The COVID-19 Inquiry Close On Sunday 27 April 2025 At Midnight
Thursday, 24 April 2025, 1:38 pm | Royal Commission Covid-19 Lessons Learned
By reviewing these decisions, the Inquiry will be able to provide recommendations to the Government on how Aotearoa New Zealand could better prepare for and manage any future pandemics. More >>
ANZMES Highlights Lessons From The COVID-19 Pandemic In Submission To Royal Commission
Thursday, 24 April 2025, 12:29 pm | ANZMES
ANZMES’s submission reflects a steadfast commitment to advocating for systemic reform and fostering collaboration with policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities to build a resilient and equitable healthcare system. More >>
Aid Cuts Threaten The Lives Of 110,000 Children With Severe Malnutrition Reliant On Emergency Treatment
Wednesday, 23 April 2025, 2:01 pm | Save The Children
Globally, one in five deaths among children aged under 5 are attributed to severe acute malnutrition, making it one of the top threats to child survival. More >>
We Want To Hear From As Many People As Possible, Says COVID-19 Inquiry Chair
Wednesday, 23 April 2025, 8:31 am | Royal Commission Covid-19 Lessons Learned
The Inquiry’s public submissions portal has been open since 3 February 2025, and closes at midnight on 27 April 2025. Anyone who wants to make a submission can either fill in the on-line form at www.covid19inquiry.nz, or by calling 0800 500 306. More >>
Norwegian Healthcare Model May Be Key To Improving NZ’s Ovarian Cancer Survival Rates
Tuesday, 22 April 2025, 4:07 pm | GSK New Zealand
The new network, which is set to have its first meeting early this year, aims to tackle critical challenges in cancer care, including expanding workforce capacity to meet rising demand, creating sustainable and equitable care models and addressing ... More >>
Life X DNA Helps Kiwis Personalise Health Plans With At-Home Genetic Testing
Tuesday, 22 April 2025, 11:11 am | Life X DNA
Testing is performed via a non-invasive, saliva-based DNA kit delivered directly to the customer’s door. Once returned for analysis, users receive a detailed and confidential report highlighting key findings and actionable recommendations. More >>