Articles tagged with Acc
Showing 15 of 108 articles
Otago Central Lakes Deal: 10-Year Plan for Housing, Infrastructure & Growth
06 Oct 2026, 2:34 PM | 6 days ago | 208 viewsThe Government has signed a 10-year City and Regional Deal with Otago Central Lakes councils to support housing, infrastructure, and economic growth, guided by a 30-year vision to diversify the region’s economy beyond tourism. The Deal includes commitments to improve housing affordability, transport infrastructure, energy capacity, health services, and rural economic development through coordinated central and local government efforts. An Oversight Board will monitor progress, with an Implementation Plan to be completed within six months, ensuring the region’s growth benefits residents and attracts investment.
Tags: Chris Bishop Simon Watts Otago Central Lakes Queenstown Lakes District Council Central Otago District Council Otago Regional Council New Zealand Government NZTA Queenstown Electrification Accelerator Otago Central Lakes DealPharmac Expands Funded Medicines at NZ Pharmacies for Faster Access
02 Oct 2026, 2:58 PM | 1 week ago | 232 viewsPharmac and Health New Zealand are expanding the range of funded medicines community pharmacies can provide without a prescription, including treatments for children’s skin conditions, oral thrush, vaginal thrush, and selected oral contraceptives. This initiative aims to improve timely access to healthcare, especially for rural and remote communities, reduce pressure on the health system, and lower primary care costs for families. Ministers David Seymour and Simeon Brown emphasize that utilizing pharmacists’ skills and pharmacies’ accessibility supports the government’s commitment to delivering quality healthcare close to home.
Tags: David Seymour Simeon Brown Pharmac Health New Zealand community pharmacies Extended Pharmacy Services Programme pharmacists funded medicines New Zealand government healthcare accessCabinet Approves Tougher Penalties to Combat Illicit Tobacco Trade
29 Sep 2026, 3:50 PM | 1 week ago | 188 viewsCabinet has approved tougher penalties and new offences to combat the illicit tobacco trade, addressing issues like unlawful packaging and increasing fines up to $200,000. These changes will support agencies such as Health New Zealand, Customs, and Police in disrupting organized crime linked to illegal tobacco, with prison terms for smuggling raised from six months to seven years. The amendments aim to protect legitimate businesses, safeguard tax revenue, and strengthen enforcement under the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990.
Tags: Costello Cabinet Health New Zealand Ministry of Health Customs Police Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act Customs and Excise Amendment Bill tobacco smuggling illicit tobacco tradeFree Cervical Screening for All Eligible Women in New Zealand from March 2027
01 Sep 2026, 6:08 PM | 1 month ago | 362 viewsFrom 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.
Tags: Simeon Brown Nicola Grigg cervical screening cervical cancer HPV vaccine New Zealand cancer elimination plan women's health health policy cancer preventionPharmac Now Funds Flu Vaccines for Children 6 Months to 5 Years in NZ
01 Sep 2026, 11:47 AM | 1 month ago | 374 viewsAssociate 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.
Tags: David Seymour Simeon Brown Pharmac flu vaccine children New Zealand influenza season health system vaccination pediatric wardsOver 53,000 Hunting Permits Issued Online, Boosting Access and Efficiency in NZ
29 Aug 2026, 11:47 AM | 1 month ago | 386 viewsOver 53,000 hunting permits have been issued through a new self-service online system, exceeding projections and significantly reducing administrative workload, according to Hunting and Fishing Minister James Meager. The digital upgrades streamlined permit regions, extended permit durations, and improved compliance, resulting in a 10% increase in active permits and over $130,000 saved in resources. The system's success reflects efforts to enhance outdoor access for hunters, with plans to expand the online platform to more high-demand areas for fairer allocation next season.
Tags: James Meager DOC hunting permits Public Conservation Land digital upgrades New Zealand hunting access permit administration conservationNew Social Security Bill Tightens Jobseeker Support and Housing Subsidies
28 Aug 2026, 9:33 PM | 1 month ago | 503 viewsThe Social Security (Jobseeker Support and Accommodation Supplement) Amendment Bill, passed in Parliament, tightens eligibility for Jobseeker Support and adjusts the Accommodation Supplement to better target financial assistance. It requires 18- and 19-year-olds to meet the Parental Assistance Test before receiving benefits and increases the homeowner contribution threshold for housing subsidies from 30% to 40% of income. The legislation aims to reduce benefit dependency, encourage work, and ensures certain groups, like pension recipients, are exempt from the new Accommodation Supplement changes.
Tags: Louise Upston Social Security Jobseeker Support Accommodation Supplement Welfare System Budget 2025 Parental Assistance Test New Zealand Government Social Development Employment MinisterACC's Turnaround Plan Helps Injured New Zealanders Return to Work Sooner
28 Aug 2026, 12:39 PM | 1 month ago | 417 viewsThe Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) in New Zealand has accelerated injured individuals' return to work and community through a renewed focus on rehabilitation, including reintroducing one-on-one case managers. Since launching the Turnaround Plan seven months ago, long-term claims have decreased by four percent, improving outcomes without reducing support for those with serious injuries. ACC emphasizes sustainability for the future while maintaining comprehensive support, with ongoing progress reported monthly on their website.
Tags: Scott Simpson Accident Compensation Corporation ACC New Zealand Turnaround Plan rehabilitation injury claims weekly compensation injury recovery ACC schemeNZ Funds Flu Vaccines for Children 6 Months to 5 Years Starting 2027
26 Aug 2026, 2:31 PM | 1 month ago | 540 viewsAssociate 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.
Tags: David Seymour Pharmac New Zealand influenza vaccine flu season children vaccination vaccine funding pneumococcal vaccine meningococcal ACWY public healthAuckland Cuts Child Dental Surgery Waitlist by Over 1,400 for Faster Care
21 Aug 2026, 10:00 AM | 1 month ago | 479 viewsThe 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.
Tags: Matt Doocey Auckland dental treatment children surgical waitlist sedation oral health hospital capacity healthcare access dental surgeryACC Restores Specialist Traumatic Brain Injury Rehab in Canterbury and West Coast
13 Aug 2026, 10:21 AM | 2 months ago | 527 viewsACC has reestablished specialist Traumatic Brain Injury Residential Rehabilitation services in Canterbury and West Coast, ending a gap since 2020 that forced patients to travel far for care. Hauora Ability Services will deliver these services at The Granada Rehabilitation Centre in Christchurch starting July 2026, improving accessibility and client outcomes. This investment enables smoother recovery transitions, allowing clients to receive timely support close to home and maintain connections with family, community, and employment.
Tags: ACC Scott Simpson Nicola Grigg Canterbury West Coast Traumatic Brain Injury Hauora Ability Services The Granada Rehabilitation Centre Christchurch TBIRROtago Youth Empowered Through 10-Week Enterprise Accelerator Program
13 Aug 2026, 9:29 AM | 2 months ago | 532 viewsOver 240 young people aged 15 to 24 in Otago will participate in a 10-week Enterprise Accelerator programme to develop skills for work, business, and future opportunities through hands-on workshops and mentoring. Funded with $120,000 by the Government and delivered by The King’s Trust Aotearoa New Zealand, the initiative also connects participants to the He Kākano programme for seed funding and ongoing support. This investment aims to unlock youth potential by enhancing work-readiness, confidence, and creating pathways into employment, business, and self-employment.
Tags: James Meager Youth and South Island Minister Otago Dunedin Clutha Waitaki Districts King’s Trust Aotearoa He Kākano Enterprise Accelerator youth enterprise programGovernment Strengthens Total Mobility Scheme to Enhance Transport for Disabled New Zealanders
07 Aug 2026, 11:02 AM | 2 months ago | 538 viewsThe Government is strengthening the Total Mobility scheme to enhance transport options for disabled and older New Zealanders by adopting a national purpose statement, reviewing funding for wheelchair accessible vehicles, and considering expanded provider standards including ride-hail services. After extensive public consultation, the Government decided against imposing mandatory documentary evidence, periodic reassessments, or trip caps to avoid burdening users, aiming to balance scheme sustainability with user independence. Funding changes implemented in July 2026 reduced subsidies and fare caps to address financial shortfalls, with further decisions on public transport concessions and operational reviews to be made by Cabinet and the NZ Transport Agency.
Tags: Chris Bishop Louise Upston Total Mobility New Zealand NZ Transport Agency Ministry for Cities Environment Regions and Transport disability transport public consultation wheelchair accessible vehiclesPharmac Expands Access to Type 2 Diabetes Medicines for Over 30,000 Patients
05 Aug 2026, 11:16 AM | 2 months ago | 538 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour welcomes Pharmac’s decision to expand access to type 2 diabetes medicines based on clinical need, benefiting over 30,000 patients regardless of ethnicity. From 1 September, medicines like empagliflozin and liraglutide will be funded for anyone with high blood sugar despite other treatments, removing previous restrictions related to cardiovascular or renal conditions. This change, supported by community feedback and a new supplier agreement, aims to improve health outcomes, reduce complications, and optimize health budget efficiency.
Tags: David Seymour Pharmac type 2 diabetes empagliflozin metformin liraglutide dulaglutide New Zealand health access diabetes medicinesGovernment Achieves Early Training Target for 10,000 Frontline Family Violence Workers
31 Jul 2026, 11:10 AM | 2 months ago | 572 viewsThe government has achieved its target of training 10,000 frontline workers in family and sexual violence prevention nearly six months ahead of schedule, enhancing support for victim/survivors. Key agencies including NZ Police, Oranga Tamariki, Department of Corrections, Ministry of Justice, and ACC have delivered training aligned with workforce capability frameworks to improve recognition, response, and referral skills. Ongoing efforts include specialized training for court staff, extensive Corrections staff training, and revamped Police recruit courses to sustain and expand these capabilities through 2026.
Tags: Karen Chhour Te Aorerekura NZ Police Oranga Tamariki Ministry of Justice Department of Corrections ACC family violence sexual violence frontline workers