12 May 2026
5 months ago
1020 views
International Nurses Day highlights the vital role nurses play across New Zealand’s healthcare system, providing skilled, compassionate care in diverse settings from hospitals to rural communities. The government is investing in expanding the nursing workforce through recruitment incentives and advanced training, including support for nurse practitioners who have become essential in delivering advanced clinical care over the past 25 years. Recent legislative changes empower nurse practitioners with expanded prescribing and diagnostic authority, reflecting their integral role in modern, patient-centered healthcare.
09 May 2026
5 months ago
890 views
Auckland City Hospital’s new Central Plant Complex, now fully operational, provides essential infrastructure such as power, cooling, water, and medical gases critical for safe and reliable hospital operations. This complex, part of the Facilities Infrastructure Remediation Programme, was transitioned through extensive planning and testing while the hospital remained fully operational, highlighting the project's complexity and importance. Additionally, a purpose-built underground services tunnel connects the complex to the hospital, enhancing resilience and ensuring the long-term reliability of essential services amid Auckland’s growth.
05 May 2026
5 months ago
989 views
Richard Keys, Lindsay Wright, and Michael Playford have been appointed to the ACC Board, starting 11 May 2026, to support the organisation's Turnaround Plan aimed at improving outcomes for injured New Zealanders. Each appointee brings specialized expertise: Keys in health and corporate governance, Wright in financial services and investment management, and Playford in actuarial assessments and financial sustainability. Their combined skills are expected to enhance the Board's leadership and accountability, ensuring ACC delivers better client-focused services and long-term financial stability.
04 May 2026
5 months ago
1019 views
The New Zealand Government is advancing a programme to integrate overseas-trained doctors already residing in the country into the primary care workforce, with nearly half of the planned placements underway. This initiative supports international doctors in gaining registration and experience in general practice, addressing the key barrier of appointment availability for Kiwis. Alongside expanded digital and after-hours services, the programme aims to strengthen healthcare access nationwide by building a sustainable future medical workforce.
02 May 2026
5 months ago
1052 views
Dunedin Hospital has installed a new $4.3 million next-generation Linear Accelerator (LINAC) machine, enhancing precision cancer treatment with targeted radiation that minimizes damage to healthy tissue. The advanced technology allows clinicians to treat multiple tumors simultaneously, reducing treatment times and enabling therapies not possible with older models. This upgrade is part of a nationwide effort to improve cancer care access and outcomes, providing patients in the lower South Island with modern, high-quality treatment closer to home.
24 Apr 2026
6 months ago
1004 views
Veterans Affairs has increased private vehicle mileage reimbursement rates by 50 percent to help veterans manage rising fuel costs when traveling for treatment. This temporary measure, funded within the existing budget, applies until petrol prices drop below $3 per litre for four consecutive weeks and aims to ensure veterans continue accessing essential care. The government emphasizes supporting veterans amid global fuel price volatility, prioritizing those with limited transport alternatives.
15 Apr 2026
6 months ago
1217 views
From June, New Zealand will expand funded treatment services through community pharmacies to provide easier and more affordable care for children’s common health conditions, reducing reliance on GP appointments. Pharmacists will be authorized to assess patients and supply subsidized medicines for issues like pain, fever, scabies, and urinary tract infections, supported by a $5 million annual fund to ensure nationwide availability. This initiative aims to improve timely access to healthcare, especially in rural and underserved areas, by leveraging pharmacists as accessible and trusted health professionals.
13 Apr 2026
6 months ago
1177 views
New Zealand is expanding community infusion services with 14 new centres and 14 expansions to provide thousands more cancer treatments closer to patients’ homes, supported by a $210 million investment from Budget 2024. This initiative responds to a 12% increase in demand, adding 218 more chair-days weekly and addressing the need for increased capacity following the introduction of 33 new cancer medicines funded by Pharmac. The government aims to improve cancer outcomes by ensuring timely, accessible treatment nationwide, while recruiting additional healthcare staff to support the expanded services through 2028.
02 Apr 2026
6 months ago
1224 views
Home and community support workers in New Zealand will receive a temporary 30% increase in mileage rates, from 63.5 to 82.5 cents per kilometre, to help offset rising fuel costs caused by global conflicts. This increase, effective immediately and lasting up to 12 months or until petrol prices drop below $3 per litre for four consecutive weeks, applies to workers contracted to Health New Zealand, the Ministry of Social Development, and ACC. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasized that this targeted support ensures the continuity of essential healthcare services for vulnerable New Zealanders by easing cost pressures on frontline workers.
24 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1321 views
The Government’s quarterly health results for October to December 2025 show clear year-on-year improvements across all five health targets, with more New Zealanders receiving faster care despite ongoing pressures on hospitals. Key gains include shorter emergency department stays, quicker specialist assessments and elective treatments, faster cancer treatments, and higher childhood immunisation rates. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasized continued focus on improving the healthcare system and praised the dedication of health workers who delivered better outcomes amid increased demand and challenges.
17 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1207 views
From 1 July, Health New Zealand will decentralize decision-making to regions and districts, granting them authority over workforce, budgets, and service delivery to improve responsiveness and patient care. The national body will retain responsibility for strategy, standards, and system-wide planning, ensuring a coordinated health system. These changes aim to reduce bureaucracy, empower frontline healthcare providers, and enhance access to care by making decisions closer to patients and communities.
05 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1157 views
Associate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown support Pharmac’s proposal to fund letermovir from May 2026 to prevent serious CMV infections in stem cell transplant patients and those with severe immunosuppression. This initiative aims to improve patient outcomes by reducing complications, hospital stays, and healthcare system pressure, aligning with the Government’s commitment to expanding stem cell transplant capacity and enhancing cancer treatment access. Pharmac is currently seeking public feedback on the proposal, inviting input from affected patients, families, health professionals, and advocacy groups.
05 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1196 views
Health Minister Simeon Brown has announced the reappointment of Ms Morag McDowell as Health and Disability Commissioner for a two-year term starting 7 March 2026. Ms McDowell brings extensive legal expertise and health sector experience, which will help the organization deliver fair and effective services. The Government aims to keep patients central to the health system and improve healthcare quality for all New Zealanders.
04 Mar 2026
7 months ago
1159 views
Wairarapa Hospital has introduced a new $2.46 million CT scanner to enhance diagnostic services, providing faster, more reliable imaging and improving patient access. The upgrade will increase output by around five percent, supporting quicker diagnoses, stronger cancer pathways, and better regional care coordination. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes that this investment strengthens frontline infrastructure, ensuring quality, modern healthcare for regional communities now and in the future.
22 Jan 2026
9 months ago
1344 views
Associate Health Minister David Seymour supports Pharmac’s public consultation on funding Trikafta and Alyftrek for children with cystic fibrosis of all ages, aiming to expand access beyond the current age restrictions. If approved, the proposal effective from April 1, 2026, would allow doctors to prescribe these life-changing treatments based on clinical need, addressing early harm caused by cystic fibrosis and improving patient outcomes. Pharmac encourages feedback from patients, families, healthcare professionals, and advocacy groups before the consultation closes on February 11, 2026.