Health News & Articles
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New Appointments Announced to New Zealand Public Health Advisory Committee 2025
28 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 896 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown announced new appointments to the Public Health Advisory Committee, including Dr. Caroline McElnay as Chair and Professor Peter Crampton as Deputy Chair, along with new members Professor Paula Lorgelly, Associate Professor Kaaren Mathias, and Professor Matire Harwood. The Committee provides independent advice to the Government on public health issues and strategies to improve the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders. Members will serve two- or three-year terms starting 1 December 2025, supporting the Government's commitment to accessible, quality public health services and prevention-focused care.
Tags: Simeon Brown Caroline McElnay Peter Crampton Paula Lorgelly Kaaren Mathias Matire HarwoodNew Health Workforce Committee Appointed to Strengthen NZ Healthcare System
28 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 1005 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown announced new appointments to the Health Workforce Committee, including Chair Dr David Gow and members Dr Jeremy Dryden, Dr Ruth Large, and Dr Allan Moffitt, with Dr Gary Hopgood continuing. The Committee provides long-term strategic advice on health workforce matters to ensure New Zealand’s health system meets future community needs. The appointments, effective from December 1, 2025, support the Government’s focus on accessible, quality care and acknowledge outgoing members Dr Bryan Betty and Dr Andrew Connolly’s ongoing contributions in new roles.
Tags: Simeon Brown David Gow Jeremy Dryden Ruth Large Allan Moffitt Gary Hopgood Bryan Betty Andrew Connolly Health Workforce Committee Health MinisterBetter Later Life Action Plan 2025: Supporting Older New Zealanders' Wellbeing
28 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 1066 viewsThe Better Later Life Action Plan aims to support older New Zealanders in living well, maintaining independence, and staying connected by focusing on health, housing, and financial security. It builds on existing government services by introducing new initiatives such as expanding housing options, reviewing driver licensing, enhancing digital training, and strengthening protections against elder abuse. The plan involves a coordinated, cross-government approach to improve access to services and practical support, with details available on the Office for Seniors website.
Tags: Better Later Life Action Plan Casey Costello New Zealand seniors NZ Superannuation SuperGold Card elder abuse driver licensing housing for elderly digital training Office for SeniorsHealth NZ to Employ 1800 Graduate Nurses, Boosting Workforce in 2025
27 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 1079 viewsHealth New Zealand plans to employ around 1800 graduate registered nurses in hospital-based roles this year, significantly strengthening the workforce and supporting timely, quality care. The government is also investing in primary care roles for graduates, offering funding incentives to rural and urban providers to expand opportunities. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes that these initiatives provide structured support and professional development, contributing to a sustainable, resilient nursing workforce for the future.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health New Zealand graduate nurses nursing graduates health system primary care workforce development nursing workforce New ZealandTop Up Campaign Empowers Over 3 Million Kiwis to Boost Mental Wellbeing
27 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 979 viewsThe nationwide Top Up campaign, launched in August to promote the Five Ways to Wellbeing, has reached over 3.2 million New Zealanders and attracted 115,000 website visitors in four months, exceeding expectations. The campaign encourages simple, evidence-based daily actions to boost mental health and aims to shift the focus from crisis to prevention, supported by government funding for community initiatives. Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey highlights the strong public engagement as a positive step toward reducing stigma and fostering proactive mental wellbeing across all communities.
Tags: Matt Doocey Top Up campaign Mental Health Minister New Zealand Mental Health Foundation VML Five Ways to Wellbeing Mental Health Targets Community Grants Scheme KiwisNew Zealand Boosts Stem Cell Transplant Services with $27M Investment to Save Lives
27 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 1070 viewsHealth New Zealand will invest $27.1 million over three years to expand stem cell transplant services, addressing critical delays and increasing capacity by 27–38% to save more lives. This funding supports hiring 79 new staff, expanding hospital beds, upgrading infrastructure, and introducing a digital tool for better transplant scheduling nationwide. These efforts build on a prior $6.11 million boost and aim to provide timely, life-saving treatment for patients with blood cancers and related conditions across Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health New Zealand Auckland City Hospital Wellington Regional Hospital Christchurch stem cell transplant allogeneic transplants blood cancers transplant capacity digital toolNew Appointments Announced for Hauora Māori Advisory Committee to Boost Māori Health
27 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 733 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown announced new appointments to the Hauora Māori Advisory Committee, naming Tā Mark Solomon as permanent Chair and three members for three-year terms starting December 1, 2025. The Committee, established under the Healthy Futures Act, advises the Minister on Māori health matters and plays a key role in improving Māori health outcomes and ensuring equitable healthcare access. Brown acknowledged the outgoing Chair, Parekawhia McLean, who will continue supporting Māori health through the Health New Zealand Board.
Tags: Simeon Brown Mark Solomon Tereki Stewart Te Ururoa Flavell Parekawhia McLeanHealth Minister Simeon Brown Sets Priorities for Health NZ to Improve Patient Care
27 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 1056 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has presented Health New Zealand’s Annual Report and issued a Letter of Expectations emphasizing the need to devolve decision-making closer to frontline services while maintaining national planning and meeting government health priorities. The letter outlines key focuses such as strengthening primary care, growing the health workforce, improving infrastructure, and ensuring efficient, transparent operations with strong governance and accountability. Brown stresses the importance of reducing bureaucracy, improving recruitment, meeting health targets, and delivering timely, accessible care to achieve better patient outcomes.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health New Zealand Health Minister Health New Zealand Board Government priorities healthcare delivery health system frontline clinical roles health workforce health infrastructureNew Zealand Launches AI Platform to Simplify Access to Mental Health Support
25 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 904 viewsThe New Zealand government is funding Whakarongorau to develop a mental health AI navigation platform that will help people easily find and access available mental health services, including telehealth and in-person options. This digital tool aims to reduce barriers by guiding users to appropriate support, offering online resources, and enabling direct bookings, thereby addressing the fragmented mental health system. The platform seeks to improve early intervention, increase awareness of existing services, and provide faster, 24/7 access to mental health support across the country.
Tags: New Zealand mental health Whakarongorau AI navigation platform Matt Doocey telehealth Gumboot Friday digital tools mental health support crisis responseJoin the Movement: End Violence Against Women This White Ribbon Day
24 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 970 viewsToday is White Ribbon Day, a national event encouraging people to oppose violence against women and celebrate men who promote healthy relationships. The day marks the start of the ‘16 Days of Activism’ campaign, which raises awareness about gender-based violence and calls for an end to discriminatory attitudes. Government officials and high-profile women are collaborating with organizations like UN Women Aotearoa to share messages and resources aimed at creating safer communities and supporting victims.
Tags: Karen Chhour Nicola Grigg Cindy Kiro Alison Mau White Ribbon Day 16 Days of Activism UN Women Aotearoa Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence family violenceNew Zealand’s 10-Year Digital Health Plan to Transform Patient Care and Access
24 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 1099 viewsNew Zealand is launching a 10-year Health Digital Investment Plan to modernize its healthcare system by replacing outdated, paper-based records with a single Electronic Medical Record system that enables seamless information flow between GPs, specialists, and hospitals. The plan focuses on improving patient outcomes, supporting clinicians, stabilizing infrastructure, fostering innovation, and enhancing data-driven decision-making through phased implementation and investments in technologies like remote monitoring, national radiology, and AI tools. To ensure success, the government has established the Centre for Digital Modernisation of Health and initiatives like HealthX to accelerate digital transformation and deliver faster, safer, and more coordinated care.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health New Zealand Health Minister HealthX Chief Executive AI Accelerate programme Centre for Digital Modernisation of Health Kiwis Government$50M Social Investment Fund Supports 1,600+ Children of Incarcerated Parents
23 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 945 viewsThe Social Investment Fund has allocated $50 million in its first round to seven projects supporting over 1,600 children affected by parental incarceration, care system experience, or early school suspension. These initiatives, selected for their measurable impact, aim to improve health, safety, housing stability, skills, income, and family support, with ongoing monitoring of outcomes. The government has committed $190 million for the fund in Budget 2025, with another funding round planned for early next year.
Tags: Nicola Willis Te Hou Ora Whānau Services Tākiri Mai te Ata Trust Te Puawaitanga ki Ōtautahi Ngāti Awa Social and Health Services Barnardos New Zealand Horowhenua New Zealand Trust Kaikaranga Holding Social Investment Fund Social Investment MinisterKenepuru Hospital’s New PCCT Scanner Delivers Faster, Accurate Diagnostics
22 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 948 viewsThe new Photon Counting Computed Tomography (PCCT) scanner at Kenepuru Hospital has significantly improved diagnostic imaging by providing faster, more detailed scans that detect previously undetectable abnormalities and reduce invasive procedures. Since its operation began in October, it has increased outpatient CT activity by 37%, clarified diagnoses for 20 patients, and enabled non-invasive cardiac scans for 18 patients, leading to earlier treatment and shorter hospital stays. Plans are underway to expand these advanced diagnostic services into the community, enhancing healthcare accessibility and reducing hospital pressure for Porirua and nearby areas.
Tags: Simeon Brown Kenepuru Hospital Photon Counting Computed Tomography PCCT scanner Porirua Wellington cardiac patients diagnostic imaging healthcare general practicesDunedin Hospital Project Hits Milestone with Pile Capping Completion
20 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 1049 viewsThe New Dunedin Hospital project has completed pile capping for the inpatient building, marking a major construction milestone and enabling progress to substructure work. Construction is advancing with the formation of basement and ground-floor slabs, preparation for steel framework installation, and coordination of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. The project supports local employment and businesses, with over 900 jobs expected at peak construction and significant economic benefits for the Otago and Southland region.
Tags: New Dunedin Hospital pile capping inpatient building Health Minister Simeon Brown Otago Southland CPB Contractors construction milestone local employment structural steel frameworkCelebrate World Children's Day by Supporting and Becoming a Caregiver in NZ
20 Nov 2025 | 10 months ago | 971 viewsOn World Children's Day, Minister Karen Chhour highlights the vital role of over 2000 caregivers in New Zealand who provide stability and care for children in need. The government and community share responsibility in supporting diverse caregivers through training, guidance, and improved resources to meet various care needs. Individuals who are patient and committed are encouraged to consider becoming caregivers to help children feel secure, nurtured, and able to thrive.
Tags: World Children's Day caregivers New Zealand Karen Chhour Oranga Tamariki child care respite care transitional care family home caregivers community obligation