09 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1413 views
Landcorp has introduced a new livestock equity partnership program in New Zealand to assist farm operators in building equity and securing the future of farming, according to State Owned Enterprises Minister Simeon Brown. The initiative aligns with the government's goals of enhancing rural employment, boosting farm productivity, and facilitating ownership opportunities for the next generation of farmers. The equity partnership model expands on Landcorp's existing contract farming options for dairy farmers and aims to promote high performance, unlock the farming sector's potential, and create pathways for aspiring farmers to take ownership of farms like Mahiwi Farm.
09 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1513 views
The Government's new 24/7 digital health service, launched in July, has provided over 21,000 consultations to 19,331 people across New Zealand. It is most commonly used when timely GP appointments are unavailable and has successfully treated 83.5% of patients without requiring an in-person GP follow-up. The service has made healthcare more accessible, especially for working-age adults and parents, reaching people in all communities and making a significant impact on daily lives by providing timely and quality care.
08 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1262 views
The Government has surpassed its initial Elective Boost target by delivering over 16,000 additional procedures, reducing patient wait times, as stated by Health Minister Simeon Brown. The procedures included hip, knee, and cataract surgeries, benefiting people of various ages and backgrounds across different regions of New Zealand. This achievement is part of the Government's plan to decrease elective treatment wait times, aiming to treat 95% of patients within four months by 2030, with ongoing efforts to further enhance healthcare accessibility.
06 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1520 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown notes a 25% decrease in the cardiology first specialist assessment (FSA) waitlist in Auckland since November 2023, with patient numbers dropping from 3,829 to 2,847 between November 2023 and March 2025. The reduction in wait times has been significant, especially for those waiting over four months, with a 73% decrease from 663 to 179. Progress has been made across all three Auckland districts, reflecting efforts to expand clinic capacity, improve systems for reminders and follow-ups, and streamline scheduling to reduce delays in booking appointments. The goal is to ensure that 95% of patients are seen within four months by 2030, with ongoing efforts to further reduce wait times and improve access to timely specialist care.
05 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1498 views
Significant transport reforms in Auckland since 2010 aim to enhance democratic accountability and empower Aucklanders to influence transport policies, as stated by Transport Minister Chris Bishop, Auckland Minister Simeon Brown, and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown. The reforms involve shifting most transport functions from Auckland Transport to Auckland Council, establishing the Auckland Regional Transport Committee to create a 30-year transport plan, and granting local boards new powers for local road decisions. The changes, set to be in place by September 2026, prioritize public input, efficient governance, and improved transport outcomes for Auckland.
04 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1255 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown has urged Health New Zealand and ASMS to swiftly engage in binding arbitration to settle their dispute, which stems from an expired collective agreement despite previous efforts like mediation and bargaining. The ongoing strike actions by ASMS have disrupted care for numerous patients, with a potential future strike threatening more disruptions. The Government emphasizes the importance of providing timely and quality healthcare to all New Zealanders, and both parties must confirm their acceptance of arbitration by Friday 4:00 PM.
02 Sep 2025
1 year ago
1416 views
The New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) union has decided to strike, leading to delays in healthcare services for thousands of New Zealanders, including cancellations of surgeries and treatments, delays in specialist assessments, and critical follow-up appointments. The strike is seen as a political move by the union, impacting patients already in pain and waiting for treatment, with concerns raised about transparency in the decision-making process. Despite the government's investments in nursing workforce salaries and benefits, efforts are being made to reduce wait times and prioritize patient care, urging the NZNO union to return to negotiations and prioritize patients over politics.
16 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1619 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown announces that over 100 New Zealanders have benefited from DNA methylation profiling, a groundbreaking diagnostic tool for brain tumour diagnoses at Auckland City Hospital. This technology allows for more precise and quicker identification of tumour types, leading to earlier treatment initiation. The service in Auckland is one of three in Australasia, providing faster access to advanced diagnostic technology locally, improving outcomes for patients and reducing costs associated with sending samples overseas for analysis.
13 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1908 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
1511 views
The Health Minister Simeon Brown announces a 36% decrease in the Northland waitlist for First Specialist Assessments (FSAs) since November 2023, emphasizing the importance of timely access to heart specialist care in detecting conditions early. The cardiology FSA waitlist in Northland dropped from 1,091 to 691 between November 2023 and March 2025, with a 68% decrease in patients waiting longer than four months. The reduction in waitlists is attributed to initiatives such as running cardiac clinics at rural hospitals, coordinating assessments to minimize visits, and expanding local services, reflecting a commitment to improving access to heart care in Northland.
11 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1523 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.
09 Aug 2025
1 year ago
2646 views
Chemotherapy services at Taupō Hospital have expanded to two days a week, doubling operating days for the first time in over 20 years, in response to increased demand driven by government investment in cancer medicines. The investment has enabled broader access to advanced treatments like Keytruda, benefiting patients in Taupō and surrounding areas. Specialist nurses from Rotorua travel to Taupō to administer treatments, reducing travel time and easing the burden on patients and their families, with plans to further expand services to meet growing demand and improve access to cancer care in the region.
07 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1925 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.
05 Aug 2025
1 year ago
1955 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.
02 Aug 2025
1 year ago
2225 views
The speaker expresses gratitude to various individuals for their contributions to the National Party, highlighting achievements in law and order, education, healthcare, and the economy over the past two years. They emphasize the progress made in reducing violent crime, improving education, and enhancing healthcare services. The speaker also outlines plans to further stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and increase wages by streamlining processes for businesses operating on DOC land and implementing charges for foreign visitors at high volume sites to generate revenue for conservation efforts.