02 Mar 2026
8 months ago
1437 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of new collective agreements for approximately 3,500 Public Health and Mental Health Nurses in New Zealand, which include salary increases, lump sum payments, and enhanced professional development allowances. The agreements also commit to recruiting over 550 additional nursing positions to strengthen frontline services. This follows recent approvals of agreements for other health sector workers, highlighting collaborative efforts to ensure staff support and quality care for New Zealanders.
27 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1349 views
New Zealand’s Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) has achieved its strongest rehabilitation performance in over a decade, reducing the growth rate of long-term claims and helping injured New Zealanders return to work and independence faster. This improvement follows a government-mandated Turnaround Plan focused on client-centered care, lasting recovery, and organizational reset, reversing previous increases in long-term claim growth under the Labour government. While progress is evident in the latest public report, the government acknowledges more work is needed to ensure consistent support for claimants and build a better future.
26 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1438 views
Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for Health New Zealand dietitians, resulting from a successful APEX vote. The 24-month agreement includes salary increases of 2.5% in the first year and 2% in the second, along with enhanced professional membership contributions and improved terms. This agreement follows recent approvals for other health sector workforce agreements, highlighting ongoing progress in settling employment conditions.
26 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1292 views
The Government’s new Online GP Care service enabled around 11,000 New Zealanders to access timely medical consultations during the holiday period, with over 60,600 consultations delivered since its May 2025 launch. The service addresses barriers such as rural location and appointment availability, reaching diverse communities and offering a new feature to compare and book the earliest appointments across providers. Health New Zealand plans to expand the service’s use in targeted healthcare settings, aiming to create a more accessible and patient-centered health system.
26 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1313 views
The Government has received the final report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, which expanded its scope to review key decisions like lockdowns and vaccine mandates due to public demand. The inquiry aims not only to assess past mistakes but also to guide future pandemic responses, addressing the ongoing social and economic impacts felt by New Zealanders. The report will be made public in March 2026, with Health Minister Simeon Brown leading the Government’s response to its recommendations.
25 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1377 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for approximately 12,300 Allied, Public Health, Scientific, and Technical workers represented by the Public Service Association. The agreement includes a 2.5% pay increase in the first year, a 2% increase in the second year, a $500 lump sum payment, a new pay scale for Sterile Sciences Technicians, and a $400,000 professional development fund. This settlement follows recent approvals for other health sector agreements, highlighting ongoing progress in workforce negotiations.
24 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1229 views
Associate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown support Pharmac’s proposal to expand access to immunotherapy medicines nivolumab and ipilimumab for people with stage 3B to stage 4 melanoma starting May 2026, aiming to improve treatment outcomes and reduce cancer recurrence. These medicines, used together before surgery, can enhance immune response, potentially reduce the need for further treatment, and save health resources by decreasing infusion hours and hospital visits. The government emphasizes faster access to effective cancer care, backed by significant investment in new medicines, while Pharmac seeks public and clinical feedback on the proposal before finalizing the decision.
23 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1294 views
A record 235 primary care registered nurses in New Zealand will begin advanced education this year through the Government’s Registered Nurse Primary Care Scholarships, nearly doubling the initially planned number. These nurses will pursue qualifications enabling them to become registered nurse prescribers, expanding their ability to prescribe a wider range of medicines and improve patient access to care. This initiative aims to enhance healthcare delivery by reducing pressure on GPs and hospitals, fostering a more sustainable system, and supporting the development of future nurse practitioners.
20 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1216 views
Construction has begun on a 28-bed rapid-build inpatient ward at Nelson Hospital to support service relocation during major redevelopment and seismic strengthening. The project uses parallel off-site and on-site construction to accelerate delivery, reduce disruption, and improve inpatient capacity and patient flow. This ward is part of a nationwide government program, backed by a $90 million Budget 2025 allocation, to quickly expand hospital capacity with modern, cost-effective infrastructure.
19 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1324 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown announced four new appointments to the Nursing Council of New Zealand to maintain strong leadership in the sector. The appointees—Alex Gordon, Amanda Singleton, Helen Nielsen, and Dr. Julia Hennessy—bring diverse expertise in governance, health service management, clinical practice, and education. Their combined experience aims to ensure nurses remain competent and fit to practice, protecting the health and safety of New Zealanders.
18 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1359 views
A new Military Health and Performance Centre, Tû Manawa Ora, has opened at Burnham Military Camp to enhance the health, wellbeing, and operational readiness of New Zealand Defence Force personnel by providing comprehensive medical, rehabilitation, psychological, and training services under one roof. The $22 million facility, completed in 18 months, aims to set a new standard for military healthcare infrastructure, supporting both prevention and treatment to improve retention and performance. Strategically located at the largest South Island military base, the centre reflects a strong commitment to caring for Defence personnel throughout their service and beyond.
18 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1314 views
Associate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown support Pharmac’s proposal to fund two new combination therapies—venetoclax with ibrutinib, and venetoclax with obinutuzumab—as first-line treatments for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) starting May 2026. These treatments aim to improve patient outcomes by enabling longer remission, reducing the need for chemotherapy, and offering more convenient pill-based options, including availability in private clinics to minimize patient disruption. The Government’s broader commitment includes investing $604 million to fund new blood cancer medicines, expanding stem cell transplant services, and enhancing cancer care access and timeliness across New Zealand.
18 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1360 views
Seven grassroots mental health initiatives supporting diverse and underserved communities in New Zealand have received funding to provide early, practical wellbeing support before crises develop. These projects focus on tailored approaches such as family wellbeing, empowering women, cultural connection, and accessible movement, targeting Māori, Pasifika, rainbow, rural, and disability groups. The funding is part of the Mental Health Foundation’s Top Up community grants scheme, which complements the national campaign promoting the Five Ways to Wellbeing for improved mental health.
17 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1321 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for about 300 pharmacists employed by Health New Zealand, following a vote by APEX members. The agreement recognizes pharmacists' valuable work, offers workforce stability, and includes uplifts to professional membership contributions and other improvements. This initiative aims to build a more stable and supported pharmacy workforce to ensure timely, quality care for New Zealanders.
17 Feb 2026
8 months ago
1228 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for pharmacists employed by Health New Zealand, benefiting approximately 300 pharmacists nationwide. The agreement recognizes their valuable work, provides greater workforce stability, and supports their essential role in health service delivery. It also includes uplifts to professional membership contributions and other improvements, aiming to build a more stable and supported pharmacy workforce.