21 Aug 2026
2 months ago
530 views
The number of children waiting for dental surgery in Auckland has dropped by over 1,400, reaching its lowest level in years due to various initiatives like increased theatre capacity and better collaboration between hospital and community teams. A pilot program offering publicly funded sedation for dental treatment has provided an alternative to general anaesthetic, helping 340 children receive faster care and reducing the surgical waitlist. These efforts have freed up hospital capacity for more urgent cases and improved timely access to dental treatment for children.
20 Aug 2026
2 months ago
686 views
A new 16-bed acute mental health and addiction facility has opened at Rotorua Hospital, replacing the outdated 45-year-old unit and providing faster access to support for people in the Lakes district. The facility features individual bedrooms, therapy spaces, family areas, and quieter zones tailored to different needs, enhancing care for patients and working conditions for staff. This $50 million investment is part of a broader Mental Health Infrastructure Programme aimed at improving facilities nationwide and expanding support services to prevent the need for inpatient care.
17 Aug 2026
2 months ago
637 views
The Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) has released an independent report with 40 recommendations to reform New Zealand’s aged care system, aiming for an integrated, sustainable, and fair model that better meets future needs. Associate Health Minister Casey Costello emphasized the outdated funding model and the government’s commitment to carefully consider the report’s advice to improve policy and funding decisions. The government has already invested $446 million over the past three years to support the sector’s sustainability and operational improvements while further reforms are developed.
17 Aug 2026
2 months ago
558 views
The Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG) has released an independent report with 40 recommendations to reform New Zealand's aged care system, addressing outdated funding models and aiming for an integrated, sustainable, and accessible system. Associate Health Minister Casey Costello emphasized the government's commitment to carefully consider these recommendations to improve care quality, funding sustainability, and system navigation as the population ages. The government has already increased sector funding by $446 million over three years and directed the Ministry of Health to develop advice supporting future policy and funding decisions.
13 Aug 2026
2 months ago
722 views
The New Zealand Infrastructure Commission's latest update reveals the National Infrastructure Pipeline's value has risen by $15 billion to $290 billion, with fully funded projects increasing by $4.5 billion to $95.8 billion. The pipeline includes nearly 12,500 projects across sectors like healthcare, roads, water, and schools, reflecting sustained momentum and improved planning that supports economic growth and job creation. Additionally, $17.5 billion in initiatives are progressing through planning to start construction within the next year, signaling ongoing investment and development nationwide.
06 Aug 2026
2 months ago
616 views
A new urgent and after-hours service will open at Toka Hāpai Selwyn Health Hub this Saturday to provide local urgent care for non-life-threatening conditions, reducing pressure on Christchurch Hospital's emergency department. The service operates evenings, weekends, and public holidays, improving access for the rapidly growing Rolleston and Selwyn district. This initiative is part of the Government’s $164 million Budget 2025 investment to expand urgent care nationwide, aiming to ensure 98% of New Zealanders can reach urgent care within an hour.
06 Aug 2026
2 months ago
763 views
New Zealand is launching industry-led, future-focused secondary school subjects from 2029 to better align education with emerging job markets in sectors like manufacturing, energy, health, and tourism. These subjects, developed with industry input and valued equally to traditional subjects, aim to equip students with practical skills and clear pathways into trades, university, or employment, supported by a $15 million investment. The initiative fosters student engagement by connecting learning to real-world careers, benefiting both employers seeking skilled workers and students preparing for rewarding futures.
01 Aug 2026
2 months ago
652 views
New Zealand is investing $23 million to shift skin cancer detection and treatment from hospitals to local GP clinics, starting with suspicious skin spot removal, to ensure earlier and more accessible care nationwide. This initiative includes upskilling GPs in dermoscopy and skin excision, aiming to create a consistent national approach and reduce hospital wait times by allowing specialists to focus on complex cases. The investment builds on previous primary care enhancements and reflects a broader strategy to deliver more healthcare services in the community, closer to patients' homes.
31 Jul 2026
2 months ago
592 views
Hon Paul Davison KC KSO has been appointed as the Independent Redress Officer for a five-year term starting 1 August 2026, tasked with determining financial redress applications from survivors of abuse in State care who are serious offenders, as well as exemption applications from terminally ill survivors. Hon Davison, a former High Court judge with extensive legal experience, has previously served in significant inquiry roles and developed a compassionate redress framework for survivors of abuse at the Lake Alice Child and Adolescent Unit. Lead Coordination Minister Erica Stanford emphasized the importance of this independent role and thanked Hon Davison for accepting the position.
30 Jul 2026
2 months ago
726 views
The New Zealand government is investing over $8.5 million in three initiatives to strengthen the rural health workforce and improve local access to care. These include funding for Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) training, expanded and subsidized Primary Response in Medical Emergencies (PRIME) training, and a $6 million boost to the National Rural Recruitment and Locum Support Service to attract a broader range of health professionals. These efforts aim to equip rural clinicians with better skills and support, ensuring timely, quality healthcare for rural communities and reducing reliance on distant hospital care.
28 Jul 2026
2 months ago
690 views
The Government is modernising the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme to simplify its use, enhance worker protections, and maintain opportunities for New Zealanders and Pacific workers. Key reforms include a graduated accreditation system for employers, clearer rules on recoverable costs, improved flexibility for worker movement between employers, and updated accommodation and pastoral care standards. These staged changes, starting in 2027, aim to sustain the scheme’s success in supporting New Zealand’s horticulture and viticulture sectors while strengthening partnerships with Pacific communities.
27 Jul 2026
2 months ago
665 views
Over 97,500 New Zealand families have received FamilyBoost payments, which were expanded last year to increase the rebate from 25% to 40%, raise the maximum weekly payment to $120, and extend eligibility to households earning up to $229,000 annually. These changes have resulted in a 70% increase in average payments, helping over 12,000 families each quarter to better manage early childhood education costs and balance work and family life. The government encourages eligible families to register for FamilyBoost, emphasizing its role in supporting working parents and strengthening the economy by easing childcare cost pressures.
23 Jul 2026
3 months ago
638 views
Health New Zealand plans to offer around 1800 graduate nurse roles in the coming year to strengthen the nursing workforce with locally trained professionals. Last year, 1716 offers were made, resulting in 1845 graduate nurses employed across various health sectors, including hospitals, primary care, and community services. Recruitment will continue nationwide throughout the year, covering diverse specialties and supporting nurses into frontline, primary, and community care roles.
21 Jul 2026
3 months ago
763 views
Keren Blakey and Mandy Pattinson have been appointed to the TVNZ Board to enhance governance and provide valuable expertise amid evolving media challenges. Blakey offers extensive financial and audit experience, including leadership roles at PricewaterhouseCoopers and Southern Cross Medical Care. Pattinson contributes over 20 years of media industry experience, with strengths in revenue generation, media law, regulatory compliance, and risk management.
08 Jul 2026
3 months ago
703 views
A new Women’s Health Hub has been launched in New Zealand to provide trusted, practical health information tailored to women’s needs at different life stages. Developed by the Ministry for Women and Health New Zealand, the online platform consolidates reliable resources, guidance for healthcare appointments, and educational videos to support informed decision-making. This initiative addresses women’s feedback about overwhelming health information and aims to help them take an active role in managing their health and wellbeing.