Articles tagged with Health
Showing 15 of 384 articles
WorkSafe Launches New Prequalification Template to Help Small Construction Contractors
20 Aug 2026 | 2 weeks ago | 266 viewsWorkSafe has introduced a new prequalification template to simplify the contractor health and safety assessment process, addressing frustrations over inconsistent and duplicative requirements in New Zealand’s construction industry. This template, supported by a position statement, promotes a consistent, risk-based approach that reduces unnecessary costs and paperwork, particularly benefiting small businesses and sole traders. Government agencies are expected to adopt the template in procurement processes, helping contractors avoid multiple prequalification forms and making bidding more efficient and cost-effective.
Tags: Brooke van Velden WorkSafe New Zealand Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety prequalification construction businesses contractors health and safety government procurement small businessesNew 16-Bed Mental Health and Addiction Facility Opens at Rotorua Hospital
19 Aug 2026 | 2 weeks ago | 278 viewsA new 16-bed acute mental health and addiction facility has opened at Rotorua Hospital, replacing the outdated 45-year-old unit and providing faster access to support for people in the Lakes district.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.
Tags: Rotorua Hospital Mental Health Addiction Facility Matt Doocey Lakes District Mental Health Wellbeing and Recovery Unit Te Whare Oranga Tangata o Whakaue Mental Health Infrastructure Programme Inpatient Care New ZealandGovernment Invests $750K to Boost New Zealand Blackcurrant Industry & Exports
18 Aug 2026 | 3 weeks ago | 246 viewsThe New Zealand Government is investing $300,000 alongside industry funding to support a three-year project aimed at transforming the blackcurrant sector into a global leader in premium, health-focused ingredients. The initiative will enhance local value by refining juice extraction to produce high anthocyanin extract powder, supporting research, market development, and promoting New Zealand blackcurrants internationally. This innovation seeks to increase growers' earnings, boost export opportunities, and strengthen New Zealand's position in global health and nutrition markets.
Tags: Todd McClay New Zealand blackcurrant agriculture health ingredients Primary Sector Growth Fund anthocyanins export markets JapanPharmac's Progress Report: Improved Patient Voice and Faster Medicine Access 2026
18 Aug 2026 | 3 weeks ago | 307 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour praises Pharmac’s progress in responding to the 2025/26 Letter of Expectations, highlighting improvements in patient involvement, timeliness of decision-making, and sector collaboration. Key achievements include trialling streamlined assessment pathways, enhancing consumer engagement, updating rare disorder policies, and advancing digital investments, all contributing to a clear multi-year organisational improvement programme. While progress is noted as impressive and transparency has increased, Seymour emphasizes that continued efforts to listen to patients and improve access to medicines remain essential.
Tags: David Seymour Pharmac Associate Health Minister Patient Community Consumer Engagement Rare Disorders Strategy Exceptional Circumstances Framework NPPA Health Sector Medical TechnologyNew Peer-Led Mental Health Beds to Improve Crisis Support in NZ
18 Aug 2026 | 3 weeks ago | 282 viewsNew Zealand is nearly doubling peer-led acute alternative mental health beds from 25 to 45 to provide faster, community-based crisis support outside hospitals, with 12 new beds opening in Auckland and eight in the lower South Island. This expansion is part of a $61.6 million government investment that also includes additional frontline staff, peer support workers, and Crisis Recovery Cafés to improve mental health crisis response nationwide. Trusted local organizations with extensive community experience will deliver these services, ensuring people in crisis receive timely, supportive care in a home-like environment connected to their families and communities.
Tags: Matt Doocey Pathways Ngā Kete Mātauranga Pounamu Uruuruwhenua Hauora Auckland Invercargill Alexandra New Zealand Mental Health Minister Crisis Assessment and Treatment TeamsNew Zealand's Aged Care Reform: Expert Report Guides Future Policy and Funding
17 Aug 2026 | 3 weeks ago | 310 viewsThe 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.
Tags: Ministerial Advisory Group aged care Casey Costello New Zealand Government Ministry of Health aged care reform funding model health services population agingNZ Government Reviews Ministerial Advisory Group Report to Reform Aged Care System
17 Aug 2026 | 3 weeks ago | 279 viewsThe 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.
Tags: Ministerial Advisory Group Casey Costello aged care New Zealand Government Ministry of Health funding model aged care reform health services population agingGovernment Ends ‘Offensive Trades’ Registration, Saving Businesses Time and Money
14 Aug 2026 | 3 weeks ago | 260 viewsThe Government is abolishing the ‘offensive trades’ registration under the 1956 Health Act to reduce unnecessary compliance costs and save businesses time and money. This change, supported by Ministers David Seymour and Simeon Brown, recognizes that modern environmental and industry-specific regulations sufficiently manage these trades, making annual registrations obsolete. The reform is expected to save up to $2.26 million over 10 years and reflects ongoing efforts by the Ministry for Regulation to cut red tape and improve productivity.
Tags: David Seymour Simeon Brown Government Health Act 1956 offensive trades Regulation Minister Ministry of Regulation Red Tape Tipline business compliance local councilsNZ Government Boosts Funding and Extends Contracts for Community Mental Health NGOs
13 Aug 2026 | 3 weeks ago | 318 viewsThe New Zealand Government is providing over $34 million in additional annual funding from July 2026 to support community mental health and addiction organisations, recognizing their vital role. To ensure greater stability, most providers are being moved from one-year to three-year contracts, allowing them to invest confidently in their workforce and services. This approach aims to improve access to mental health support, strengthen frontline services, and enhance crisis response for vulnerable New Zealanders.
Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Minister New Zealand community organisations mental health addiction services NGOs Health New Zealand funding uplift frontline workersNew Zealand Boosts Community Mental Health Funding with Longer Contracts
13 Aug 2026 | 3 weeks ago | 303 viewsMental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced over $34 million in additional annual funding from July 2026 for community mental health and addiction providers, along with a 3.16% funding uplift for most eligible NGOs. The government is increasing contract certainty by shifting around 83% of providers onto three-year contracts, replacing the previous predominance of one-year agreements to enable better workforce investment and service delivery. These measures aim to support frontline organizations that serve over 82,000 people annually, ensuring faster access to mental health services and a stronger crisis response across New Zealand.
Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Minister New Zealand community organisations mental health addiction services NGOs Health New Zealand funding uplift frontline workersNew Zealand Infrastructure Pipeline Grows by $15B to $290B in Latest Update
13 Aug 2026 | 3 weeks ago | 353 viewsThe 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.
Tags: Chris Bishop New Zealand Infrastructure Commission National Infrastructure Pipeline Infrastructure Minister healthcare projects construction sector economic growth infrastructure funding government projects infrastructure planningNew Child and Youth Mental Health Service Launched in Central Otago
09 Aug 2026 | 1 month ago | 314 viewsA new child and youth mental health and addiction service, Hono ki te Ora, has been launched in Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes to provide a single, coordinated point of access for young people aged 5 to 24 and their families. The service aims to simplify navigation of the mental health system, reduce fragmentation, and connect individuals to appropriate support without duplication, especially in this geographically isolated and fast-growing region. Since May, the service has received 80 referrals, actively supporting 35 young people and strengthening community relationships to ensure timely and effective care.
Tags: Matt Doocey Hono ki te Ora Central Otago Queenstown Lakes child mental health youth addiction service New Zealand mental health support young people community servicesNew Urgent After-Hours Care Opens in Rolleston Easing Christchurch ED Pressure
06 Aug 2026 | 1 month ago | 283 viewsA 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.
Tags: Simeon Brown Toka Hāpai Selwyn Health Hub Christchurch Hospital Rolleston Selwyn district urgent care Pegasus 24 Hour Surgery Budget 2025 New Zealand healthcareNew Zealand Launches 10-Year Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy for All
05 Aug 2026 | 1 month ago | 317 viewsMental Health Minister Matt Doocey launched New Zealand’s first Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, setting a 10-year plan with a detailed three-year Implementation Plan featuring 50 actions to improve mental health and addiction outcomes. Key focuses include launching AI Navigation for easier access to services, integrating mental health with housing and employment support, eliminating seclusion, and co-designing a youth mental health roadmap. The strategy was shaped by feedback from nearly 900 people and organizations, aiming to create a more effective mental health system.
Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Minister New Zealand Healthy Futures Act Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy Mental Health Bill youth mental health addiction services AI Navigation public consultationNew Zealand Launches Industry-Led Secondary Subjects for Future Careers from 2029
05 Aug 2026 | 1 month ago | 481 viewsNew 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.
Tags: Nicola Willis Erica Stanford Applied Intelligent Systems Construction and Built Environment Energy and Infrastructure Engineering Technology Food and Fibre Systems Health Services and Care Hospitality Food and Beverage