Latest Health Headlines
Providers Named After Failing To Meet HDC Recommendations
Wednesday, 28 May 2025, 7:48 pm | Health and Disability Commissioner
In October 2024, Mr Stoneman and NZDAT were found to have breached the Code and not provided Mr A and Mrs B with an appropriate standard of service. More >>
Dental Today Highlights Access To Braces And Hygiene Care In Auckland
Wednesday, 28 May 2025, 4:52 pm | Dental Today
Dental Today sees patients from suburbs across South and Central Auckland, including Royal Oak, Mangere, and Mt Wellington. The team emphasises personalised care, patient education, and a preventive approach that supports both cosmetic and health-focused ... More >>
Teen Dies After Controversial Tackle Game – Expert Reaction
Wednesday, 28 May 2025, 3:30 pm | Science Media Centre
A teenager has died after suffering a head injury while playing a private “run it straight-style” tackle game in Palmerston North. It follows on from official RUNIT events taking place in Auckland last week, ... More >>
Auckland Theatre Nurses Begin One-Month On-Call Strike
Wednesday, 28 May 2025, 2:58 pm | New Zealand Nurses Organisation
NZNO delegate and Starship perioperative nurse Haim Ainsworth says the month-long on-call strike follows rolling two-hour strikes by Auckland theatre nurses on 1 May. More >>
Health Agencies Highlighting Changes Limiting Promotion Of Vapes
Wednesday, 28 May 2025, 1:28 pm | Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
Director of Public Health Dr Corina Grey says, three weeks out from these significant series of changes coming into force, today’s reminder focuses on one part of the changes, the new restrictions on product advertising and promotions. More >>
Pharmac Seeks Feedback On Potential Brand Changes From Annual Medicines Tender
Wednesday, 28 May 2025, 12:21 pm | PHARMAC
Pharmac is now consulting on the potential impact of brand changes from this year’s tender. Pharmac is inviting feedback from people who take these medicines, and those who support them including prescribers, dispensers, and caregivers. More >>
Health Professionals, Medical Bodies & Community Orgs Call For Publication Of Guidelines For Gender Affirming Care
Wednesday, 28 May 2025, 9:06 am | PATHA
Signatories to the open letter, which include medical bodies, health services, rainbow community organisations & individual practitioners are calling on the government to allow Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora to publish the updated Guidelines for Gender Affirming ... More >>
‘Icing On The Cake’ – Nelson Hospital To Get NZ-first Temporary Ward
Tuesday, 27 May 2025, 8:12 pm | Max Frethey - Local Democracy Reporter
The Nelson Hospital redevelopment will get "more than half" of the billion-dollar budget allocation, and a temporary ward to boost capacity, Ministers Willis and Brown announced. More >>
Local HIV Diagnoses In Decline, Challenges To Achieving Elimination Goal
Tuesday, 27 May 2025, 10:48 am | Burnett Foundation Aotearoa
There were also 28 people diagnosed with AIDS in 2024, with 18 (64%) being MSM. This is the highest number of local AIDS diagnoses since 2010. Over 70% of these people (20) were diagnosed with AIDS within 3 months of their HIV diagnosis—indicating ... More >>
Health Warning Lifted At Waiau Uwha River At SH70
Tuesday, 27 May 2025, 10:09 am | Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
Latest water testing results show faecal bacteria levels in Waiau Uwha River at SH70 are now below guideline values and the health warning issued on 28 March 2025 has been removed with the water of Waiau Uwha River at SH70 suitable for recreational ... More >>
Health Warning Lifted For Algal Bloom In South Bank Tributary Of The Waiau Uwha River Above Waiau Bridge
Tuesday, 27 May 2025, 10:06 am | Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
Recent cyanobacteria surveys of the Waiau Uwha River above Waiau Bridge have shown the cover of potentially toxic algae (benthic cyanobacteria) in the river has reduced and is now below levels that are of concern to public health. More >>
Private Hospitals May Be Asked To Pay For Surgeon Training
Monday, 26 May 2025, 4:10 pm | RNZ
Doctors have raised ethical and logistical concerns about allowing publicly-paid surgical registrars to essentially provide free labour to private hospitals. More >>
Schedule Rule Changes Will Improve Continuity Of Cancer Care
Monday, 26 May 2025, 2:23 pm | PHARMAC
Pharmac is consulting on a proposal to amend the rules of the Pharmaceutical Schedule, following the Government’s decision to enable access to new publicly funded cancer medicines in private hospitals and clinics from 1 August 2025. More >>
Crown Withdraws Only Witness & Evidence Ahead Of Urgent Waitangi Tribunal Hearing Into Māori Health Reforms
Monday, 26 May 2025, 11:08 am | National Urban Maori Authority
The Crown also indicated that the Minister of Health is currently reviewing system settings within the public health sector, particularly the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022. Crown Law advised that details of this work programme remain confidential, More >>
Taking The Mic: Māori And Pacific Voices In The Media
Monday, 26 May 2025, 10:59 am | University of Auckland
Māori and Pacific people face significant health inequities, often exacerbated by media framing that places the burden of health on individuals rather than that of government or society. More >>
New Zealand Votes Hato Hone St John As One Of The Most Trusted Charities For 2025
Monday, 26 May 2025, 10:29 am | Hato Hone St John
Hato Hone St John Chief Executive, Peter Bradley, says the recognition is deeply moving and a reflection of the trust New Zealanders place in the organisation during life’s most critical moments. More >>
Budget 2025 Misses Opportunity To Give Primary Care A Leading Role In Addressing And Improving Healthcare In Aotearoa
Monday, 26 May 2025, 9:50 am | Royal NZ College of General Practitioners
The lack of any immediate funding for general practice and primary care in the Budget announcement to implement solutions that will alleviate pressures both on our workforce and in hospitals and EDs will be felt by all New Zealanders who access our services. More >>
How Rotorua’s Air Pollution Transformation Defied Expectations
Saturday, 24 May 2025, 3:59 pm | Laura Smith - Local Democracy Reporter
Once the worst winter air, the city has today shed its label of 'polluted'. More >>
Daytime Boosts Immunity, Scientists Find
Saturday, 24 May 2025, 2:41 pm | Waipapa Taumata Rau
Kiwi scientists have discovered how daylight can boost the immune system’s ability to fight infections. More >>
Oranga Whenua, Oranga Tangata: Hāpai Te Hauora Responds To Budget 2025
Friday, 23 May 2025, 1:55 pm | Hapai Te Hauora
Finance Minister Nicola Willis promised no lolly scramble; but somehow, the sweet stuff still landed in boardrooms and business accounts, while the pantry stayed locked for whānau. More >>
Silence On Mental Health Initiatives In Budget 2025 Is Concerning
Friday, 23 May 2025, 12:55 pm | MATES in Construction
The government places a strong emphasis on welcoming overseas investors to fund its infrastructure pipeline, but we urge them to remain steadfast on the wellbeing of our workers who will put these projects into motion, says MATES in Construction Chief ... More >>
Budget 2025 Fails Rural Health Promises – Hauora Taiwhenua Warns Of Growing Inequities
Friday, 23 May 2025, 12:46 pm | Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network
The health budget has increased by 4.8% overall which doesn’t cover increases in the cost of health care delivery and population gains. The Budget lacks any specific commitment to address long-standing inequities in rural healthcare. More >>
Budget Boost To Early Childhood Education Hailed By Neurofusion
Friday, 23 May 2025, 12:18 pm | Neurofusion
Timetables, curriculum, assessment, and participation are still shaped by industrial-era logic which are built for efficiency, not for human variability. These structures create hidden barriers for anyone who doesn’t fit the mould, says Graeme Bennett, ... More >>
From WellSouth Primary Health Network CEO Mr Andrew Swanson-Dobbs
Friday, 23 May 2025, 10:13 am | WellSouth
Too often the focus is on secondary care – investing in hospitals. While this is important, general practice plays a critical role. Primary care will reduce hospital demand through early intervention and chronic disease management, and support community-based ... More >>
Budget 2025: A Missed Opportunity To Build A Stronger, Smarter Health System
Friday, 23 May 2025, 9:41 am | Digital Health Association
The Digital Health Association (DHA) believes Budget 2025 is a missed opportunity for digital health. “It offers small steps but falls short of delivering the bold, strategic investment needed to modernise New Zealand’s health system and unlock ... More >>
Patient Fees Could Rise 10 Percent Or More After Déjà Vu Budget Ignores General Practice
Thursday, 22 May 2025, 7:13 pm | General Practice Owners Association
GenPro Chair Dr Angus Chambers said the Budget was a missed opportunity and primary healthcare is hugely disappointed once again. More >>
Budget 2025: A Missed Opportunity To Build A Stronger, Smarter Health System
Thursday, 22 May 2025, 5:39 pm | Digital Health Association
Digital and physical infrastructure go hand-in-hand, Jensen says. A new hospital building is only as effective as the systems that support it. If we get this right, we’ll build not just for today’s needs—but for tomorrow’s opportunities. More >>
Shorecare Welcomes Initial Steps Towards Improved Urgent Care Funding — But More Is Needed
Thursday, 22 May 2025, 5:06 pm | Shorecare
Shorecare hopes this latest announcement signals the beginning of a more coherent, sustainable funding strategy for urgent care services across the country. Without this, New Zealand will continue to see clinic closures, increasing co-payments and ... More >>
Magical Thinking On Hospital Projects: NZNO
Thursday, 22 May 2025, 4:42 pm | New Zealand Nurses Organisation
NZNO Primary Health Care Nurses College chair Tracey Morgan says the Coalition Government has "utterly failed" to address the crisis in primary and community care which is leaving New Zealanders unable to see their GPs when they need to. More >>
ProCare Concerned By 12-Month Prescribing Extension In Budget 2025
Thursday, 22 May 2025, 4:23 pm | ProCare Health
ProCare’s submission to Manatū Hauora in October 2024 made a strong case for a staged approach, recommending a 6-month limit in the first instance, with potential for further extension once safety and equity impacts were evaluated. More >>
Budget 2025: No Surprises And Little To Celebrate For General Practice
Thursday, 22 May 2025, 4:20 pm | General Practice NZ
For the past three budgets GPNZ has been calling for a significant uplift to general practice funding to begin to address historic underfunding and support sustainability. More >>
No New Spending Announced For Primary Care In Budget 2025
Thursday, 22 May 2025, 4:06 pm | ProCare Health
Bindi Norwell, CEO at ProCare says: Whist we acknowledge and welcome the pre-announced money which will help improve access, retention, and performance in general practice; the Government has not further invested in the wider primary care system as was anticipated ... More >>
Govt Misses Chance To Cut Costs, Relieve Pressure In The Health Sector
Thursday, 22 May 2025, 3:33 pm | Alzheimers New Zealand
With some sensible investment in community-based support now, Government could go a long way towards reducing pressure on the health service while creating an integrated health system that’s more accessible and sustainable for the long-term. More >>
Drop In The Bucket For Government But Kick In The Guts For Kiwi Men
Thursday, 22 May 2025, 3:12 pm | Prostate Cancer Foundation
The Prostate Cancer Foundation will continue the fight to save men’s lives after the Budget failed to fund an early detection pilot for prostate cancer.' The Prostate Cancer Foundation will continue the fight to save men’s lives after the Budget ... More >>
Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa Launches Menopause Wellbeing
Thursday, 22 May 2025, 2:59 pm | Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa
Awareness about menopause and its impact has never been greater, but access to menopause care is still difficult for many. Our intention is that Menopause Wellbeing will help address this need, through dedicated, expert menopause care and a holistic, ... More >>
Conversion Marketing Helps Power Bowel Cancer NZ’s Awareness Month Campaign
Thursday, 22 May 2025, 10:06 am | Conversion Marketing
The campaign aims to leverage radio, programmatic display, digital out-of-home, Spotify, and Meta platforms to deliver crucial health messaging to Kiwis across the country. More >>
Community Sparkles At NBS Dancing For A Cause 2025 - A Record-Breaking Weekend For Nelson Tasman Hospice
Thursday, 22 May 2025, 9:22 am | Nelson Tasman Hospice
With the final numbers not yet in, NBS Dancing for a Cause 2025 has already raised $587,000 a record-breaking total that will make a lasting impact on the work of Nelson Tasman Hospice. More >>
Youth Hub Christchurch Wins Best Health Project At New Zealand Commercial Project Awards
Wednesday, 21 May 2025, 8:15 pm | Youth Hub Christchurch
Chair of the Youth Hub Trust Dame Sue Bagshaw says she’s thrilled the Hub is getting national recognition. More >>
Bridging The Gap In HIV Prevention For Māori: Insights And Resources Now Available
Wednesday, 21 May 2025, 8:35 am | Research For Maori Health and Development
The research, Investigating Barriers and Enablers to Preventive HIV Access for Māori Communities, reveals that Māori continue to face cultural, systemic, and personal barriers to HIV prevention — including stigma, fear, and healthcare services that ... More >>
Funding Primary Care Nurses The Answer To The Health Crisis
Tuesday, 20 May 2025, 4:38 pm | NZNO
NZNO chief executive Paul Goulter says after recent wage rounds come into effect in July, most primary and community care nurse will still earn an average of 10% or $10,129 less a year than their hospital counterparts. More >>
‘Natural’ Pacemaker Successfully Tried In Humans
Tuesday, 20 May 2025, 3:43 pm | Waipapa Taumata Rau
A pacemaker with a 'beat' that responds to breathing is showing good results in studies and is now being trialled in Kiwi heart patients. More >>
Nōku Te Ao Symposium: Bringing Together Voices On Mental Distress, Stigma And Discrimination Under One Roof
Tuesday, 20 May 2025, 12:49 pm | Noku te Ao
Many of the barriers New Zealanders once faced when reaching out for support while experiencing mental distress have been bent. But, these barriers have not yet been broken. More >>
Pharmac Proposes To Fully Fund Nutrition Replacements For Some People With Crohn’s Disease
Tuesday, 20 May 2025, 11:24 am | PHARMAC
Pharmac wants to remove this additional cost on Ensure Plus and Fortisip so people with Crohn’s disease, who use them as their only source of nutrition, can continue to access and benefit from nutrition replacements. More >>
Aotearoa’s Smokefree Setback Offers A Warning For Countries Advancing Tobacco Control
Tuesday, 20 May 2025, 11:08 am | Public Health Communication Centre
Despite strong public support and compelling evidence showing the laws would reduce smoking and save lives, the Coalition Government used urgency to repeal them, cutting out public consultation. More >>
Anaesthetists Are Key To Improving Access And Outcomes In Surgical Care
Tuesday, 20 May 2025, 10:21 am | New Zealand Society of Anaesthetists
The New Zealand Society of Anaesthetists (NZSA) is raising concerns with some of the approaches towards increasing the outsourcing of public surgical cases to private facilities, emphasising the critical role anaesthetists play throughout a patient’s ... More >>
“RunIt” Contact Event Poses Serious Risk To Brain Health, Says Leading Sports Scientist
Tuesday, 20 May 2025, 9:48 am | Auckland University of Technology
The “RunIt” event, which involves participants sprinting directly at each other in high-speed collisions, has been widely criticised by medical professionals and researchers. Despite its viral popularity online, Professor Hume says the format ... More >>
Urgent And After-Hours Care Support Welcome, But Budget Must Tackle GP Funding And Retention
Tuesday, 20 May 2025, 8:45 am | Genpro
Looking forward, the best thing the Budget could contain is a 10 percent uplift in the government’s contribution to general practice, which covers approximately half a patient’s consultation fee More >>
Minister Of Health Needs To Accept European Invitation To Join Useful World Leading Cancer Study
Tuesday, 20 May 2025, 7:51 am | Prostate Cancer Foundation
Prostate cancer kills over 700 men a year in New Zealand. The Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand says the invitation is significant and useful to men’s health. Mr Bedingfield strongly urges the Government to accept. More >>
Patients Paying Over $200 To Visit After-Hours In Palmerston North
Monday, 19 May 2025, 4:49 pm | RNZ
It can cost up to $260 for a medical consult. More >>
Headway Calls For Urgent Action To Stop “Run It Straight”
Monday, 19 May 2025, 2:56 pm | Headway
The organisation says the format and promotion of the Run It Straight events appear to deliberately target financially vulnerable people by offering large prize pools up to $20,000. More >>
GPs Scratching Their Heads About Government’s $164 Million Urgent Care Promise
Monday, 19 May 2025, 2:05 pm | General Practitioners Aotearoa
“The very first thing the Government needs to be asking,” says GPA chair Dr Buzz Burrell, “is why do so many people go to urgent care facilities?” More >>
Investment In Rural Health Welcome But Need Remains High
Monday, 19 May 2025, 1:51 pm | Rural Women New Zealand
Sandra Matthews, National President of Rural Women New Zealand, says the investment recognises some of the current issues faced by rural communities, but a sustained effort is needed to address the challenges rural people face in accessing their healthcare ... More >>
Crafting Friendship And Community
Monday, 19 May 2025, 1:41 pm | TECT
Te Puke Menz Shed is a fully equipped wood working workshop for men over 60 to participate in projects repairing and making goods for themselves and the wider community. More >>
Hato Hone St John Welcomes Government Investment In Urgent And Rural Healthcare
Monday, 19 May 2025, 1:33 pm | Hato Hone St John
The funding, which also covers maintaining existing urgent and after-hours services and enhancing support in rural and remote communities, will complement Hato Hone St John’s work in delivering timely care and emergency support. More >>
More Doctorless Or Closed Hospitals In NZ?
Monday, 19 May 2025, 12:36 pm | Patient Voice Aotearoa
A description of “open to any availability” or “open to availability”, means the hospital is in extreme need of one or more locums. More >>
Have You Heard Of Capitation? This One Weird Word Is Why You Can’t Get A GP Appointment
Monday, 19 May 2025, 11:19 am | General Practitioners Aotearoa
Many GPA members who work at corporate-owned practices and even some privately-owned practices report they are working in awful conditions, and forced to deliver substandard healthcare so the practice can break even. More >>
Hauora Taiwhenua Celebrates Government Investment In Rural Urgent Care Services While Waiting For Support In Budget 2026
Monday, 19 May 2025, 11:06 am | Hauora Taiwhenua Rural Health Network
Six rural and remote communities across Aotearoa have been selected as prototype sites, including Great Barrier Island, Coromandel, Te Kuiti, Tūrangi, Golden Bay, and Twizel. More >>
Creating Visualisations To Help Child Cancer Patients
Monday, 19 May 2025, 9:17 am | University of Auckland
The Auckland Medical Research Foundation granted Dr Jones a Postdoctoral Fellowship of more than $279,000 for her to complete the project, while the University of Auckland School of Medicine has pitched in an extra $8590. More >>
Stay Bright This Winter: Airflow Hygiene And Teeth Whitening Now On Offer In Auckland CBD
Sunday, 18 May 2025, 1:26 pm | Customs Street Dentist
Located on Customs Street East, the clinic offers general, cosmetic and hygiene dentistry for adults in a private, modern setting. Online booking is available. More >>
Understanding And Escaping Those With NPD
Saturday, 17 May 2025, 1:53 pm | Hugh Grant
It's crucial to be cautious throughout this process since narcissists frequently attempt to regain control when they feel like they're losing it. More >>