08 Sep 2026
1 month ago
436 views
An independent review of mental health and addiction telehealth services revealed that while core safety systems are in place, many people face long wait times and inconsistent follow-up after referrals. In response, the government is expanding peer support hours, piloting proactive follow-up calls, establishing a dedicated 24/7 national suicide prevention crisis line, and considering a telehealth target to improve wait times. Recent investments of over $10 million aim to enhance service capacity and ensure timely, accessible support for those in need.
07 Sep 2026
1 month ago
473 views
Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey officially opened Ngā Moana e Rua, a new $27 million acute mental health facility at Te Nīkau Hospital in Greymouth, designed to provide a safe, therapeutic environment with modern amenities for inpatient care. This facility is part of the Mental Health Infrastructure Programme and reflects a shift towards faster access, improved frontline support, and better crisis response, with input from clinical teams, people with lived experience, and the community. West Coast mental health services are among the best-performing in the country, and the new unit aims to further enhance care while supporting earlier intervention to prevent inpatient admissions.
03 Sep 2026
1 month ago
492 views
The new State Redress Service provides survivors of abuse in State care with a single point of contact for information, new claims, and ongoing support, streamlining access across multiple agencies. It assigns one case manager for claims involving multiple agencies to simplify the redress process and reduce the need for survivors to repeatedly share their experiences. This service operates alongside existing agencies responsible for claim assessment and decision-making, as part of the government’s response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.
02 Sep 2026
1 month ago
541 views
Construction 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.
02 Sep 2026
1 month ago
560 views
Construction 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.
01 Sep 2026
1 month ago
535 views
From 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.
01 Sep 2026
1 month ago
470 views
From 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.
01 Sep 2026
1 month ago
443 views
Associate 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.
27 Aug 2026
1 month ago
519 views
A 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.
26 Aug 2026
1 month ago
603 views
Associate 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.
21 Aug 2026
2 months ago
592 views
New Zealand has seen a significant decline in tobacco sales, dropping over 20% in 2025 and more than halving in the past decade, though concerns remain about illegal cigarette availability. The government is addressing smoking harm through increased enforcement of tobacco and vape laws, youth prevention programs like Smokefreerockquest, and enhanced support for smokers to quit, including updated clinical guidelines and funded vape kits. Despite progress, efforts continue to focus on reducing smoking-related harm, emphasizing vaping as a less harmful cessation tool.
21 Aug 2026
2 months ago
556 views
The Waimarino Health Centre in Raetihi is undergoing a $4.4 million expansion and refurbishment, more than doubling its size to improve access to public, primary, and community healthcare services for the Ruapehu district. This development, supported by local officials and aimed at enhancing rural healthcare, will consolidate services into a modern, fit-for-purpose facility. Construction began recently and is expected to be completed by the second half of 2027, marking a significant milestone for the community.
21 Aug 2026
2 months ago
578 views
The Waimarino Health Centre in Raetihi is undergoing a $4.4 million expansion and refurbishment, more than doubling its size to improve access to public, primary, and community health services for the Ruapehu district. This redevelopment, supported by local advocates and government ministers, aims to enhance rural healthcare by consolidating services in a modern facility. Construction began recently and is expected to be completed by the second half of 2027, marking a significant milestone for the community.
21 Aug 2026
2 months ago
581 views
The number of children waiting for dental surgery in Auckland has dropped from 2,200 to 743, significantly reducing wait times. This improvement is due to initiatives such as increased theatre capacity, better support for families, and a pilot program offering publicly funded sedation for dental treatment as an alternative to general anaesthetic. These efforts have freed up hospital resources for more urgent cases and ensured faster access to dental care for children.
21 Aug 2026
2 months ago
524 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.