Articles tagged with Era

Health Minister Orders Review of ManageMyHealth Cybersecurity Breach in NZ

1 day ago | 54 views

Health Minister Simeon Brown has commissioned the Ministry of Health to review the response to a ManageMyHealth cybersecurity breach involving patient information, aiming to assess causes, data protections, and recommend improvements. ManageMyHealth, a private patient portal used by some New Zealand general practices, holds sensitive medical data, prompting concerns about data security and the need for high protection standards. While the review will start by January 30, an Incident Management Team is actively coordinating the immediate response, with Health New Zealand confirming no impact on its systems and general practices continuing to operate.

Tags: Simeon Brown Ministry of Health ManageMyHealth Health New Zealand Government Chief Digital Officer National Cyber Security Centre General Practice New Zealand Incident Management Team Health Minister

Kermadec Arc Mineral Reservation Extended Two Years to Protect Marine Ecosystems

3 weeks ago | 165 views

The Kermadec Arc north of New Zealand will remain under a two-year reservation, continuing restrictions on mineral permitting to protect its unique marine ecosystems and potential critical mineral deposits. Established under the Crown Minerals Act 1991, the reservation covers 412,690 km² and aims to support informed, strategic management aligned with New Zealand’s Minerals Strategy to 2040. The extension, effective from January 2026 to January 2028, allows time for improved research and data collection before future decisions on mineral development are made.

Tags: Kermadec Arc New Zealand Shane Jones mineral permitting Crown Minerals Act Kermadec Ridge copper zinc gold Minerals Strategy 2040

Auckland City Hospital Upgrades $364M Infrastructure to Boost Resilience and Care

1 month ago | 156 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.

Tags: Auckland City Hospital Simeon Brown Facilities Infrastructure Remediation Programme Central Plant Building Government emergency generators medical gas supplies Budget 2025 Greenlane Clinical Centre Auckland

Intensive Efforts Underway to Eradicate Yellow-Legged Hornets in Auckland

1 month ago | 167 views

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard reports intensified efforts in Auckland’s North Shore to eradicate yellow-legged hornets through increased traps, ground searches, and public awareness campaigns. A technical advisory group with international experts guides the response, which includes using electronic tracking technology to locate nests as hornet activity rises over summer. The public and beekeepers are urged to regularly check their properties for hornets and report sightings promptly to Biosecurity New Zealand to aid detection and control.

Tags: Andrew Hoggard Biosecurity New Zealand Auckland North Shore hornet eradication pest control biosecurity operations exotic pest hotline technical advisory group

38 New Appointments Strengthen New Zealand’s 12 Community Trusts

1 month ago | 160 views

Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones announced 38 appointments and reappointments to New Zealand's 12 community trusts, which collectively manage over $3.5 billion in investments and grant around $100 million annually to local organizations. The appointees bring diverse expertise across sectors such as education, healthcare, governance, and environmental protection, supporting the trusts' role in building strong, empowered communities nationwide. These trusts, governed by the Community Trusts Act 1999, serve their regions by managing investments and distributing grants for charitable and community development purposes, with terms lasting up to four years.

Tags: Shane Jones Tevita Funaki Philip Crump Aryana Nafissi Martin Cleave Natalie Bridges Robert Dol Stu Husband Deserae Frisk Rangimahora Reddy

New Zealand Nears Eradication of Mycoplasma bovis After Major Milestone

1 month ago | 175 views

New Zealand is nearing eradication of the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis, with no infections detected after two spring calving seasons and ongoing surveillance to confirm its absence. The $870 million, 10-year eradication programme, launched in 2018, has involved farmers, officials, and the community working together to protect the dairy and beef industries from significant economic losses. The last known transmission was in September 2023, and efforts continue to achieve full eradication by June 2028, with gratitude expressed for the collective perseverance and sacrifices made.

Tags: Andrew Hoggard Mycoplasma bovis Biosecurity Minister DairyNZ Beef + Lamb New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries OSPRI New Zealand farmers animal disease eradication community leaders

NZ Uses Drone and Thermal Imaging Tech to Boost Bovine TB Eradication Efforts

1 month ago | 203 views

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard announced that the Government is trialling thermal imaging drones to monitor possum populations, the main spreaders of bovine tuberculosis (TB), in challenging terrains like Central Otago. This technology enables more efficient, targeted possum control by accessing remote areas and reducing the high costs and difficulties of traditional methods such as trapping and helicopter operations. The initiative aims to enhance TB eradication efforts, protecting farmers and taxpayers by ultimately reducing possum numbers to a level where the disease cannot persist.

Tags: Andrew Hoggard OSPRI bovine tuberculosis possum control drone technology thermal imaging Central Otago New Zealand farmers disease eradication TB eradication

Better Later Life Action Plan 2025: Supporting Older New Zealanders' Wellbeing

1 month ago | 169 views

The Better Later Life Action Plan aims to support older New Zealanders in living well, maintaining independence, and staying connected by focusing on health, housing, and financial security. It builds on existing government services by introducing new initiatives such as expanding housing options, reviewing driver licensing, enhancing digital training, and strengthening protections against elder abuse. The plan involves a coordinated, cross-government approach to improve access to services and practical support, with details available on the Office for Seniors website.

Tags: Better Later Life Action Plan Casey Costello New Zealand seniors NZ Superannuation SuperGold Card elder abuse driver licensing housing for elderly digital training Office for Seniors

New Zealand Expands Next Gen Critical Communications to Boost Emergency Response

1 month ago | 176 views

The New Zealand Government is enhancing emergency responder capabilities by creating a new entity and expanding the mandate of Next Generation Critical Communications (NGCC) to extend Public Safety Network (PSN) services beyond frontline responders to a broader range of emergency management and public safety organizations. NGCC, responsible for delivering the $1.4 billion PSN infrastructure, aims to modernize critical communications with improved coverage, reliability, and real-time information sharing to better prepare for disasters. The new company, overseen by the Ministers for Emergency Management and Finance, will offer user-pays cellular services to eligible organizations starting mid-2026.

Tags: Mark Mitchell Next Generation Critical Communications NGCC Public Safety Network Emergency Management New Zealand Police Fire and Emergency New Zealand Hato Hone St John Wellington Free Ambulance

Government and Iwi Sign Agreements for 628 New Homes in Auckland's Carrington Development

1 month ago | 169 views

The Government and Waiohua-Tāmaki iwi have signed agreements to develop at least 628 homes as part of the Carrington Residential Development in Mt Albert, contributing to a wider 4,000+ home project. This development, on land acquired through the Land for Housing Programme, will include a mix of market, affordable, and social housing alongside amenities such as a supermarket, cafes, and public transport access. Supported by various government initiatives and infrastructure investments, the project aims to address Auckland’s housing needs while promoting sustainable community growth.

Tags: Chris Bishop Carrington Residential Development Te Kukūnga Waka Auckland Land for Housing Programme Unitec Mt Albert Toi and Whetū Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki Te Kawerau ā Maki

New Zealand's $2.5B Defence Infrastructure Plan Boosts Military and Jobs by 2040

1 month ago | 128 views

The New Zealand Government has launched the Defence Estate Portfolio Plan (DEPP), a $2.5 billion long-term initiative to modernise Defence Force infrastructure by 2040, addressing aging facilities and enhancing operational readiness. The plan includes the Future Naval Base Programme and five other key projects focused on upgrading critical infrastructure, housing, and training facilities to support military capability and personnel wellbeing. This investment not only strengthens national security but also creates construction jobs and economic opportunities across the country.

Tags: Chris Penk Defence Force New Zealand Defence Estate Portfolio Plan Future Naval Base Programme Royal New Zealand Navy Devonport Naval Base Defence Capability Plan Ōhakea Infrastructure Programme Defence Estate Regeneration Programme

New Zealand Joins Global Minerals Security Partnership to Boost Critical Minerals Sector

1 month ago | 168 views

New Zealand has joined the international Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) to attract investment and support its Minerals Strategy, which aims to double mineral export value by 2035 and enhance sustainable global supply chains. The partnership aligns with New Zealand’s strengths in critical minerals essential for modern technologies and will help create high-paying jobs while strengthening international relationships. Several countries have benefited from MSP membership through financing commitments, and New Zealand expects similar opportunities to develop its critical minerals sector.

Tags: New Zealand Minerals Security Partnership Shane Jones Winston Peters critical minerals Minerals Strategy renewable energy international supply chains clean energy technologies minerals exports

New Zealand’s 10-Year Digital Health Plan to Transform Patient Care and Access

1 month ago | 214 views

New Zealand is launching a 10-year Health Digital Investment Plan to modernize its healthcare system by replacing outdated, paper-based records with a single Electronic Medical Record system that enables seamless information flow between GPs, specialists, and hospitals. The plan focuses on improving patient outcomes, supporting clinicians, stabilizing infrastructure, fostering innovation, and enhancing data-driven decision-making through phased implementation and investments in technologies like remote monitoring, national radiology, and AI tools. To ensure success, the government has established the Centre for Digital Modernisation of Health and initiatives like HealthX to accelerate digital transformation and deliver faster, safer, and more coordinated care.

Tags: Simeon Brown Health New Zealand Health Minister HealthX Chief Executive AI Accelerate programme Centre for Digital Modernisation of Health Kiwis Government

Kenepuru Hospital’s New PCCT Scanner Delivers Faster, Accurate Diagnostics

1 month ago | 180 views

The new Photon Counting Computed Tomography (PCCT) scanner at Kenepuru Hospital has significantly improved diagnostic imaging by providing faster, more detailed scans that detect previously undetectable abnormalities and reduce invasive procedures. Since its operation began in October, it has increased outpatient CT activity by 37%, clarified diagnoses for 20 patients, and enabled non-invasive cardiac scans for 18 patients, leading to earlier treatment and shorter hospital stays. Plans are underway to expand these advanced diagnostic services into the community, enhancing healthcare accessibility and reducing hospital pressure for Porirua and nearby areas.

Tags: Simeon Brown Kenepuru Hospital Photon Counting Computed Tomography PCCT scanner Porirua Wellington cardiac patients diagnostic imaging healthcare general practices

New Zealand Adds Feral Cats to Predator Free 2050 to Protect Wildlife

1 month ago | 172 views

The Government is adding feral cats to the Predator Free 2050 target list to better protect native wildlife, supported by over 90% of public submissions. This inclusion will enhance national coordination, funding access, research, and conservation efforts against feral cats, which threaten native species and spread diseases like toxoplasmosis. Domestic cats are excluded from this target, with emphasis on responsible pet ownership, while further strategy details will be released in March 2026.

Tags: Tama Potaka Predator Free 2050 feral cats Department of Conservation Aotearoa New Zealand toxoplasmosis pukunui southern dotterel Ohakune