26 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1665 views
The Social Investment Fund, recently launched by Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis, targets children facing challenging family or schooling situations, such as those with incarcerated parents or who have been suspended from school early. Data-driven evidence supports the approach of intervening early to improve outcomes for these vulnerable groups, benefitting both individuals and society as a whole. With a budget of $190 million over four years, the Fund aims to invest in effective solutions, empower community organizations, and measure the impact of interventions transparently.
13 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1741 views
Minister Karen Chhour urges individuals capable of offering a loving and stable environment to consider becoming caregivers, emphasizing improved support and training. Budget 2025 allocated $16 million to enhance care environments and caregiver training. Initiatives include caregiver feedback incorporation, improved on-boarding processes, and prioritizing safe and loving homes for children.
13 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1902 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown opened Tauranga Hospital's new Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and High Dependency Unit (HDU), completing a $21 million upgrade of critical care services for the Bay of Plenty. The upgrade increases ICU and HDU capacity from 10 to 16 beds on a dedicated floor, while the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) now has its own floor with potential to expand to 20 beds. The upgraded facilities aim to improve patient flow, reduce surgery delays, enhance coordination of cardiology services, and provide additional protection with negative pressure rooms.
11 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1520 views
The number of patients waiting for critical heart and lung surgery in Waikato has decreased by 70% since November 2023, with the waitlist dropping from 90 to 27 people. Health Minister Simeon Brown commends the progress, emphasizing the importance of timely access to healthcare for all Kiwis. The improvements are attributed to the dedication of frontline health workers in the region and the government's focus on reducing wait times for elective procedures to ensure quality healthcare for all New Zealanders.
11 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1902 views
Associate Minister of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard has announced the release of a revised Code of Welfare for Deer, emphasizing the importance of balancing animal protection with practicality and economic considerations for farmers. The code, the first of the priority pastoral livestock codes to be finalized, aims to uphold New Zealand's strong reputation for animal welfare standards while ensuring that regulations are practical and proportionate. Developed in consultation with the deer industry, the code sets clear welfare standards and guidelines for farmers to follow, promoting high standards of animal handling and care.
07 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1922 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown highlights the significant reduction in neurosurgery wait times in the South Island, emphasizing the importance of timely access to specialist care for serious brain and spinal conditions. The number of patients waiting for neurosurgery has decreased by 22% and those waiting longer than four months has dropped by 45%, reflecting positive progress in patient care. The government's focus on reducing waitlists, investing in surgical teams, and ensuring timely specialist care demonstrates a commitment to improving healthcare accessibility for all New Zealanders.
07 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1586 views
Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Patterson are conducting a rural health roadshow across New Zealand, currently in Kaitaia, to engage with rural communities and health professionals. The roadshow aims to gather feedback on the Rural Health Strategy, address healthcare challenges, and explore opportunities for improving access and outcomes in rural areas. The Government's commitment to strengthening rural health care includes increased funding for urgent and after-hours care, advancements in surgical services like total knee replacements in Kaitaia, and investments in mental health support through expanded services and the Rural Wellbeing Fund.
06 Aug 2025
1 year ago
2505 views
Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Patterson are engaging with rural communities in Tūrangi to improve access to care nationwide. The Rural Health Roadshow allows for direct feedback on the Rural Health Strategy implementation and testing of rural urgent care prototypes. The Government's Budget 2025 allocates $164 million to enhance urgent and after-hours care, benefiting rural and remote communities across New Zealand.
05 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1940 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown and Hutt South MP Chris Bishop inaugurated the new Lower Hutt After Hours Medical Centre on Connolly Street, emphasizing its importance for urgent healthcare in the area. The facility aims to alleviate pressure on hospital emergency departments by offering faster access to essential treatments like diagnostics and urgent medicines. The center, set to begin daytime urgent care services in December 2025, will provide expanded care with consulting rooms, triage rooms, radiology services, and pharmacy access, enhancing healthcare accessibility for the Hutt community.
01 Aug 2025
1 year ago
4301 views
Health New Zealand presented the New Zealand Health Plan to Parliament, as required by the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022. The plan outlines how Health New Zealand will address the Government's health priorities from 2024 to 2027, focusing on improving health outcomes and access to care. It includes targets for faster cancer treatment, improved mental health services, reducing wait times, and enhancing the health workforce, with a clear emphasis on accountability and transparency for tracking progress.
31 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2248 views
New funding of $4.9 million will improve access to specialist mental health support for women and families during and after pregnancy in Waikato, Hawke’s Bay, Mid Central, and Wellington regions. The investment aims to provide timely and appropriate care for those facing mental health challenges during pregnancy or postpartum, including support for birth trauma or stillbirth. This funding will create more roles in community-based specialist infant and maternal mental health services, ensuring more equitable access and reducing wait times for those in need of care.
25 Jul 2025
1 year ago
3516 views
The Government, led by Health Minister Simeon Brown, is enhancing access to healthcare for New Zealanders by focusing on improved funding for rural practices, faster GP access, and bolstering the GP workforce through training and retention initiatives. Changes to GP funding will better reflect patient needs by updating the capitation model to include factors like multimorbidity and socioeconomic deprivation, effective from July 1, 2026. A new national health target aims to ensure over 80% of people can see a primary care provider within one week, aligning with efforts to improve access to mental health services, while targeted investments in GP training seek to attract and retain more doctors, especially in rural and high-needs areas.
24 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2072 views
A new digital model of care for heart failure in Hawke’s Bay is improving patient outcomes by offering faster treatment and reducing hospital visits. The remote patient monitoring pathway allows for tailored, home-based care with medication adjustments made from home. Results show significant improvements, including zero hospital readmissions within 30 days, improved appointment attendance, and faster medication titration, leading to increased capacity for clinical teams and quicker access to care for patients.
21 Jul 2025
1 year ago
2053 views
The University of Waikato will establish a new medical school with a focus on primary care and rural health, receiving significant funding from the Government and the University. The school will offer a graduate-entry program to attract diverse students and strengthen the medical workforce. This initiative is part of the Government's investment in health system and workforce, adding 120 doctor training places annually from 2028 and contributing to regional development and education in the Waikato.
12 Jul 2025
1 year ago
3117 views
A new dialysis unit is set to open in Blenheim, providing crucial support for local patients and their families, reducing the need for extensive travel to Nelson Hospital. The initiative aims to ease the burden on patients, support self-dialysis capabilities, and address the growing need for kidney care in the region. The project is a collaborative effort involving various healthcare providers, local charities, and community organizations, showcasing a commitment to responsive and locally led healthcare services.