18 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1466 views
State Owned Enterprises Minister Simeon Brown has appointed Mayurie Gunatilaka to the Airways Board and Susan Petersen to the Kiwi Group Capital Board, both for three-year terms. Gunatilaka brings extensive infrastructure governance experience to support Airways' air navigation services, while Petersen, also Chair of the Kiwibank Board, is the first KGC director to hold a position on Kiwibank’s Board, enhancing strategic alignment. These appointments aim to strengthen governance and leadership in critical sectors, with KGC adopting overlapping board memberships to boost strategic objectives while maintaining independent oversight.
16 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1453 views
New Zealand has seen year-on-year improvements in healthcare access, including faster cancer treatment, higher childhood immunisation rates, and shorter waits for surgeries and specialist assessments, despite a busy winter and union strikes. The government’s investments, such as a $604 million boost to Pharmac and the Elective Boost program, have contributed to these gains by delivering new medicines and additional procedures. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes ongoing efforts to ensure timely, quality care for all Kiwis, supported by increased funding and frontline staff.
13 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1542 views
Wellington Regional Hospital has installed a new SPECT-CT scanner featuring advanced imaging technology that provides faster, higher-quality scans with reduced radiation exposure, complementing an existing modern unit. This combined imaging technology enhances disease detection, diagnosis accuracy, and treatment monitoring for various patients, including those with cancer and children needing specialized imaging. The installation is part of a nationwide $108 million government upgrade to diagnostic imaging, which also includes refurbishing the scanning room to improve patient comfort.
11 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1099 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown has highlighted progress in cancer control over the past five years, including reduced smoking rates, improved screening, and better long-term survival, as detailed in The State of Cancer in New Zealand 2025 report. The Government is implementing initiatives such as expanding screening programs, investing $604 million in cancer medicines, upgrading treatment infrastructure, and launching New Zealand’s first cervical cancer elimination strategy to enhance cancer care. Despite these advances, cancer diagnoses are expected to rise significantly by 2044, prompting a refreshed Cancer Action Plan to prepare the health system for future challenges.
06 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1149 views
Canterbury’s Acute Demand Management Service, celebrating 25 years, provides in-home care to around 110 patients daily, reducing hospital admissions and freeing up beds for those needing hospital-level care. Overseen by primary care doctors and supported by skilled nurses and specialists, the service manages a wide range of conditions and delivers thousands of care packages and diagnostic tests annually. This community-based approach ensures timely, tailored treatment in patients' homes, improving satisfaction and optimizing healthcare resources in the region.
05 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1209 views
Auckland City Hospital has completed a $364.3 million upgrade to its critical infrastructure, including a new Central Plant Building and underground service tunnel designed to ensure resilience and continuous operation during major emergencies. This project, part of the Government’s $743 million remediation programme, protects essential systems like emergency generators and medical gas supplies, enabling the hospital to operate safely at normal capacity for three days during crises. Additionally, a further $73 million has been allocated for the next stage of upgrades to power, heating, and safety systems, reflecting a long-term commitment to modernizing Auckland’s health infrastructure.
05 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1164 views
Construction has begun on the Waikato Graduate School of Medicine, supported by over $230 million in funding, to train more doctors and improve primary care access in regional New Zealand. The new graduate-entry program, starting in 2028, aims to create a diverse medical workforce with a focus on rural and regional clinical placements, enhancing healthcare in underserved communities. This initiative complements the Government’s broader investment in the primary care workforce and supports regional development by providing local medical education and strengthening healthcare infrastructure.
04 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1313 views
Registered nurse prescribers in New Zealand can now prescribe nearly double the number of medicines, enhancing timely and local access to treatment for common and long-term conditions. This expansion, alongside increased prescribing rights for pharmacists and other health professionals, reflects their advanced training and aims to improve integrated care and reduce healthcare system pressure. Additionally, from February 2026, some patients on stable long-term medications will be able to receive prescriptions for up to 12 months, lowering costs and simplifying medication management.
02 Dec 2025
10 months ago
1086 views
New Zealand is expanding urgent care services with new 24/7 and extended-hour clinics opening in Dunedin, Hutt Valley, and other regions, supported by a $164 million government investment to improve access and reduce emergency department visits. The initiative aims for 98% of New Zealanders to access urgent care within one hour, with additional improvements planned for rural areas, including trials in six remote locations and enhanced after-hours pharmacy and diagnostic services. Efforts also focus on affordability through capped co-payments and subsidies, alongside ongoing collaboration with local providers to tailor services to community needs.
28 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1058 views
Health 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.
28 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1182 views
Health 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.
28 Nov 2025
11 months ago
2647 views
The upgraded Auckland public transport network centered around the City Rail Link (CRL) is set to open to passengers in the second half of 2026, with construction nearing completion and extensive safety testing underway. This major infrastructure project, the largest in New Zealand’s history, aims to transform urban mobility by reducing travel times, increasing train frequency, and revitalizing the city center. Key organizations including City Rail Link Ltd, Auckland Transport, and KiwiRail are collaborating closely to finalize construction, prepare staff, upgrade the rail network, and ensure a seamless transition for passengers.
28 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1241 views
Health 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.
28 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1165 views
A new action plan led by Auckland’s government and council aims to make the city centre safe, welcoming, and vibrant by supporting vulnerable populations, increasing police presence, and improving public spaces and services. Key initiatives include adding social housing, outreach for rough sleepers, enhanced enforcement against criminal behavior, and regular maintenance of cleanliness and safety in public areas. The plan emphasizes collaboration among multiple agencies to boost confidence, economic activity, and community well-being as major projects and tourism increase in Auckland.
28 Nov 2025
11 months ago
1220 views
Health 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.