Health News & Articles
New Zealand Approves Psychiatrists to Prescribe MDMA for PTSD Treatment
2 days ago | 114 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour welcomes Medsafe’s approval for two psychiatrists to prescribe pharmaceutical grade MDMA for treating PTSD through psychedelic-assisted therapy, aligning New Zealand with Australia’s clinical practices. MDMA remains unapproved as a medicine, but strict safeguards and comprehensive clinical assessments ensure its safe and appropriate use within a controlled therapeutic setting, with no take-home dispensing allowed. This approval is specific to the two psychiatrists, requiring other clinicians to obtain separate Medsafe authorization, reflecting a commitment to expanding access to innovative treatments responsibly.
Tags: David Seymour Medsafe MDMA PTSD psychiatrists New Zealand Australia pharmaceutical grade clinical assessmentMandatory Asbestos Testing Proposed for Children's Toys and Craft Sand Products in NZ
2 days ago | 109 viewsThe New Zealand government, led by Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Cameron Brewer, is proposing mandatory pre-sale asbestos testing for children's toys and craft products containing sand to enhance consumer safety. This follows the recall of around 46,000 asbestos-contaminated products, highlighting gaps in current product safety protections. The proposed unsafe goods notice aims to prevent untested products from reaching the market, while officials also consider long-term comprehensive safety regulations.
Tags: asbestos testing children's toys craft products sand contamination Cameron Brewer New Zealand product safety unsafe goods notice product recalls MBIENew $30.6M Plan Boosts Faster Meth Treatment and Recovery Support Nationwide
3 days ago | 120 viewsThe government has launched a $30.6 million health-led plan to provide faster access to methamphetamine treatment and recovery services in heavily affected communities, including new programs in Kaitaia, Kaikohe, Wairoa, and Invercargill. The initiative includes expanded frontline workers, peer and family support, early intervention screening, and school-based prevention programs to address drug harm comprehensively. Additional clinical services and support networks are being established across multiple regions to ensure quicker, more effective addiction support and sustained recovery.
Tags: Matt Doocey Te Hiku Hauora Te Puarangi Ngā Kete Mātauranga Pounamu Kaitaia Kaikohe Wairoa Invercargill Rotorua TairāwhitiNew Zealand Launches Mahi Aroha Carers’ Strategy for Support and Recognition
4 days ago | 133 viewsThe New Zealand Government has launched the Mahi Aroha Carers’ Strategy Action Plan to recognize and support unpaid or informal carers, focusing on health and wellbeing, financial security, and appreciation. Developed collaboratively with the Ministry of Social Development, Carers Alliance, and other groups, the plan sets ongoing, realistic outcomes without an expiration date to address carers' complex challenges. The initiative involved extensive consultation with carers and stakeholders, ensuring accountability and meaningful progress in improving carers' lives.
Tags: Penny Simmonds Ministry of Social Development Carers Alliance Mahi Aroha New Zealand Government Associate Minister Social Development Carers Strategy EmploymentNew Zealand Launches Ongoing Action Plan to Support Unpaid Carers
4 days ago | 113 viewsThe New Zealand Government has launched the Mahi Aroha Carers’ Strategy Action Plan to recognize and support unpaid or informal carers, focusing on health and wellbeing, financial security, and recognition. Developed collaboratively with the Ministry of Social Development, the Carers Alliance, and other advocacy groups, the plan is ongoing with realistic outcomes and accountability measures. The initiative reflects extensive community input and aims to provide a sustainable, long-term roadmap addressing the complex challenges carers face.
Tags: Penny Simmonds Mahi Aroha Carers Alliance Ministry of Social Development New Zealand Carers Social Development Employment Government Action PlanNelson Hospital Redevelopment Begins with New 128-Bed Inpatient Building Construction
5 days ago | 118 viewsConstruction has begun on Nelson Hospital’s new 128-bed inpatient building to address bed shortages and support a growing, ageing population. The redevelopment, funded through Budget 2025, will add at least 41 adult medical and surgical beds and include various patient and support facilities, with completion expected to start rising on site by late 2027. Meanwhile, a 28-bed rapid-build inpatient ward made from off-site manufactured modules is being installed to quickly increase capacity with minimal disruption.
Tags: Nelson Hospital Simeon Brown Nelson Marlborough inpatient building hospital redevelopment Budget 2025 healthcare constructionNelson Hospital Redevelopment Begins: New 128-Bed Inpatient Building Construction Starts
5 days ago | 146 viewsConstruction has begun on Nelson Hospital's new 128-bed inpatient building to address growing demand and bed shortages, with initial site preparation expected to take around 12 months. The new facility will add at least 41 adult medical and surgical beds and include various patient and support services, marking stage two of the hospital redevelopment funded through Budget 2025. Additionally, a 28-bed rapid-build inpatient ward made of off-site manufactured modules is arriving on campus to quickly increase capacity with minimal disruption.
Tags: Nelson Hospital Simeon Brown inpatient building Nelson Marlborough healthcare redevelopment Budget 2025 hospital construction adult medical bedsNew Disability Support Services Legislation Passed to Enhance Support in NZ
5 days ago | 128 viewsDisability Support Services legislation has passed its final reading in New Zealand Parliament, establishing a legal framework to improve support for disabled people and their families without changing current eligibility or entitlements. The legislation incorporates feedback from the disability community, clarifies the government's role in supporting families, ensures stronger consultation with disabled representatives, and aligns with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Enabling Good Lives principles. The government has also committed $2.1 billion in additional funding and plans further consultations on a carers’ package to enhance consistency, fairness, and sustainability in disability support.
Tags: Louise Upston Disability Support Services New Zealand Social Services and Community Select Committee United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Enabling Good Lives Independent Review 2024 Government disabled people carers’ packageNew Disability Support Services Legislation Passes to Enhance Support and Choice
5 days ago | 132 viewsDisability Support Services legislation, reflecting input from the disability community, was passed to provide a clearer, stronger legal framework that supports disabled people and their families while emphasizing choice, safety, and dignity. The law mandates formal consultation with disabled representatives, aligns with UNCRPD and Enabling Good Lives principles, and maintains current eligibility and entitlements without introducing new income or asset tests. The government has committed $2.1 billion in additional funding, improved service consistency and sustainability, and plans further consultations on a carers’ package to enhance support.
Tags: Louise Upston Disability Support Services New Zealand Social Services and Community Select Committee United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Enabling Good Lives Independent Review 2024 Minister for Disability Issues disabled people carers’ packageFree Cervical Screening for All Eligible Women in New Zealand from March 2027
5 days ago | 139 viewsFrom 1 March 2027, cervical screening will be free for all eligible women aged 25 to 69 in New Zealand, removing a financial barrier that currently limits participation, especially among younger women. The government has also released the New Zealand Cervical Cancer Elimination Plan 2026 to 2040, aiming to eliminate cervical cancer by reducing cases to fewer than four per 100,000 women annually through vaccination, timely screening, and treatment targets. Key goals include increasing screening and vaccination rates, ensuring prompt follow-up care, and ultimately saving more lives by detecting and treating cervical cancer early.
Tags: Simeon Brown Nicola Grigg cervical screening cervical cancer HPV New Zealand cervical cancer elimination plan women's health cancer prevention health policyFree Cervical Screening for All Eligible Women in New Zealand from March 2027
5 days ago | 98 viewsFrom 1 March 2027, cervical screening will be free for all eligible women aged 25 to 69 in New Zealand, aiming to remove cost barriers and increase screening rates. The government also released the New Zealand Cervical Cancer Elimination Plan 2026–2040, which sets ambitious targets to eliminate cervical cancer by reducing incidence and improving timely treatment and vaccination coverage. These initiatives build on existing programs to detect and treat cervical cancer early, ultimately saving more lives.
Tags: Simeon Brown Nicola Grigg cervical screening cervical cancer HPV vaccine New Zealand cancer elimination plan women's health health policy cancer preventionPharmac Now Funds Flu Vaccines for Children 6 Months to 5 Years in NZ
5 days ago | 104 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown welcome Pharmac’s decision to immediately fund flu vaccines for children aged 6 months to under five years, advancing the original 2027 timeline in response to public demand. This move aims to alleviate pressure on New Zealand’s health system amid the worst flu season in a decade, which has caused a sharp surge in hospitalizations and strained emergency departments. Vaccinating young children not only reduces their risk of severe illness and hospitalization but also helps curb transmission within households and the wider community.
Tags: David Seymour Simeon Brown Pharmac flu vaccine children New Zealand influenza season health system vaccination pediatric wardsACC's Turnaround Plan Helps Injured New Zealanders Return to Work Sooner
1 week ago | 180 viewsThe Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) in New Zealand has accelerated injured individuals' return to work and community through a renewed focus on rehabilitation, including reintroducing one-on-one case managers. Since launching the Turnaround Plan seven months ago, long-term claims have decreased by four percent, improving outcomes without reducing support for those with serious injuries. ACC emphasizes sustainability for the future while maintaining comprehensive support, with ongoing progress reported monthly on their website.
Tags: Scott Simpson Accident Compensation Corporation ACC New Zealand Turnaround Plan rehabilitation injury claims weekly compensation injury recovery ACC schemeNew Crisis Recovery Café Opens in Kaitaia for Mental Health and Addiction Support
1 week ago | 207 viewsA new Crisis Recovery Café called Te Whare Tau has opened in Kaitaia to provide a calm, peer-led support environment for people experiencing mental health or addiction distress, offering an alternative to emergency departments. Delivered by Rakau Ora, the café builds on existing community services and aims to connect individuals with further support, operating during after-hours with trained peer support workers. This café is the first of three planned in Northland, reflecting growing demand for accessible crisis support, with over 100 people accessing the service in its first two weekends.
Tags: Matt Doocey Vanessa Kite Rakau Ora Te Whare Tau Kaitaia Northland Whangārei Kaikohe Crisis Recovery Café Mental Health MinisterNZ Funds Flu Vaccines for Children 6 Months to 5 Years Starting 2027
1 week ago | 219 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour welcomes Pharmac’s decision to fund flu vaccines for children aged six months to five years starting in April 2027, expanding coverage to over 260,000 children and improving protection with newer vaccine brands. This initiative aims to reduce the impact of flu on families, ease pressure on the health system during winter, and is part of a broader vaccine investment benefiting 1.6 million New Zealanders. The decision reflects strong public support for wider access to innovative vaccines and aligns with Pharmac’s goal of funding medicines based on community needs to improve health outcomes.
Tags: David Seymour Pharmac New Zealand influenza vaccine flu season children vaccination vaccine funding pneumococcal vaccine meningococcal ACWY public health