Articles tagged with Rma
Pharmac to Widen Rosuvastatin Access for All Based on Clinical Need from 2026
6 days ago | 121 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour supports Pharmac’s proposal to remove all eligibility criteria for Rosuvastatin access from October 2026, allowing clinicians to prescribe it based on clinical need regardless of ethnicity. This change aims to improve management of high cholesterol, reduce heart attack and stroke risks, and is expected to increase the number of users by up to 108,000 over five years without affecting current patients. Pharmac will fund this expansion through savings from its 2025/26 Annual Tender, reflecting strong support from health professionals and consumers for timely access to the medicine.
Tags: David Seymour Pharmac Rosuvastatin New Zealand Associate Health Minister cholesterol cardiovascular disease Māori Pacific statin medicationsPharmac’s 2026/27 Plan: Improving Medicine Access and Efficiency for Kiwis
1 week ago | 156 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour has outlined clear expectations for Pharmac to deliver medicines and medical technology efficiently within its fixed budget, emphasizing the need for continued patient-focused processes, improved transparency, and enhanced collaboration with stakeholders. Pharmac has made significant progress by changing its culture, strengthening consumer and supplier partnerships, and improving access to medicines, supported by the Government’s largest-ever budget allocation of $7.2 billion over four years. Despite achievements, including funding decisions benefiting over 680,000 patients, Seymour stresses that ongoing efforts are needed to listen to patients and advance Pharmac’s long-term improvement programme.
Tags: David Seymour Pharmac New Zealand Government Health Minister Consumer Engagement Pharmaceutical Schedule Medical Devices Supplier Reference Group Budget 2026 Cancer Medicines Patient Working GroupGovernment Cuts Council PIM Processing Time from 20 to 10 Days to Speed Up Building Projects
2 weeks ago | 215 viewsThe New Zealand Government is reducing the processing time for Project Information Memorandums (PIMs) from 20 to 10 working days to speed up building projects and reduce costs. This change aims to improve productivity, enhance competition in the building consent market, and support key sectors like housing, agriculture, and infrastructure. Ministers emphasize that efficient council processes are essential for timely development, benefiting homeowners, businesses, and rural communities.
Tags: Chris Penk Simon Watts Project Information Memorandums PIMs New Zealand building consent councils local government agriculture sector building process$2M Boost to Double Wasp Control in New Zealand's Visitor Hotspots and Biodiversity Sites
2 weeks ago | 197 viewsThe New Zealand government is doubling wasp control efforts in visitor hotspots and priority biodiversity sites with a $2 million boost from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, aiming to expand the Wasp Wipeout program nationwide. This program targets harmful introduced German and common wasps, which significantly damage native species and cost the economy over $130 million annually, by providing bait and technical support to community groups. The increased funding will enable treatment of 60,000 hectares annually, improve coordination and research, and help restore native ecosystems by reducing wasp populations.
Tags: Tama Potaka Wasp Wipeout International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy Department of Conservation New Zealand Vespula wasps German wasps biodiversity invasive species native birds2026 Growing Native Forests Champions Awards Celebrate Environmental & Farming Success
3 weeks ago | 277 viewsForestry Minister Todd McClay praised the 2026 Growing Native Forests Champions Awards winners for demonstrating how native planting can complement productive land uses to enhance environmental and economic outcomes. The awards, with 67 entries, showcase diverse efforts from farmers, iwi, communities, and forestry companies in advancing native forestry to support environmental resilience. The six winners include individuals and groups recognized for large-scale restoration, community planting, sustainable farming, and promoting native timber and cultural values.
Tags: Todd McClay Ollie Langridge Ngāti Koata Trust Philip Leith Jenny Leith Kingheim Limited Styx Living Laboratory Trust Waingake Transformation Programme Forestry Minister Growing Native Forests Champions AwardsNew Anti-Scam Measures Protect Kiwis and Businesses from Online Fraud
3 weeks ago | 257 viewsThe Anti-Scam Alliance in New Zealand has launched new initiatives, including expanding the banking sector's "Confirmation of Payee" system and introducing the New Zealand Online Scams Code, to better protect people and businesses from scammers. This collaborative effort involves telcos, digital platforms, banks, government, and consumer groups working together to block scam content and prevent fraud, building on successful pilot programs that saved millions in losses. These measures complement legal changes and aim to create a safer online environment, giving New Zealanders greater confidence to engage in digital transactions without fear.
Tags: Cameron Brewer New Zealand Commerce and Consumer Affairs Confirmation of Payee Google Meta TikTok Trade Me Fair Trading ActPharmac to Fund Ambulance Medicines from July for Better Patient Care in NZ
3 weeks ago | 253 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour supports Pharmac’s new responsibility to fund ambulance medicines from July 1, aiming to provide consistent access to emergency medicines nationwide while achieving cost savings. Following public consultation, Pharmac added seven commonly used ambulance medicines to the funded list to better reflect practical needs and improve patient outcomes. This change integrates ambulance medicines management with hospital medicines, enhancing system efficiency, value for taxpayers, and seamless care transitions between ambulance and hospital services.
Tags: David Seymour Pharmac Health New Zealand ACC ambulance services emergency medicines patient outcomes public consultation health budget New ZealandNew Zealand Advances GeoShot NZ Project to Drill First Superhot Geothermal Well
3 weeks ago | 292 viewsThe GeoShot NZ project aims to drill New Zealand’s first superhot geothermal well at the Rotokawa Geothermal Field, with government funding of $55 million approved for pre-drilling and exploratory activities. The initiative involves expert partners and advanced technology to harness superhot fluids at depths of 4–5 km, offering significantly more energy than conventional wells and enhancing national energy resilience. This pioneering effort, supported by international collaboration, seeks to establish New Zealand as a leader in clean, high-capacity geothermal energy for long-term regional and national benefits.
Tags: Shane Jones Mercury NZ Todd Energy Tauhara North No. 2 Trust Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment GeoShot NZ Regional Infrastructure Fund Rotokawa Geothermal Field Iceland New ZealandDavid Ferguson Appointed Chief Executive of Education Review Office
1 month ago | 316 viewsMinister of Education Erica Stanford welcomed David Ferguson as the new Chief Executive and Chief Review Officer of the Education Review Office (ERO), highlighting its crucial role in evaluating education policy and school performance. She emphasized the importance of ERO’s evidence-based reviews for informed education decisions and praised Ferguson’s educational background for strong leadership. Stanford also thanked Ruth Shinoda and Tim Fowler for their interim leadership roles prior to Ferguson’s appointment.
Tags: Erica Stanford David Ferguson Ruth Shinoda Tim Fowler Education Review Office Minister of Education Chief Executive Chief Review Officer education policy school performanceNew National Environmental Standards Simplify Papakāinga Housing on Māori Land
1 month ago | 338 viewsThe New Zealand Government has introduced National Environmental Standards for Papakāinga (NES-P) to simplify and standardize rules across councils, enabling up to 10 homes to be built on ancestral Māori land while protecting the environment and residents' health. These standards address previous planning barriers, support collective use of Māori land for intergenerational living, and form part of broader reforms under the Resource Management Act to facilitate housing growth and infrastructure development. The NES-P will take effect on 2 July, incorporating feedback from consultations and clarifying provisions related to land use, ancillary activities, setbacks, and protections for cultural and environmental values.
Tags: Chris Bishop Tama Potaka Māori land Papakāinga National Environmental Standards Resource Management Act RMA Reform New Zealand Government Māori Development Treaty of WaitangiBudget 2026 Invests $294M to Modernize NZ Planning and Boost Natural Hazard Resilience
1 month ago | 358 viewsThe New Zealand Government is investing $294 million over four years in Budget 2026 to implement a new digital planning and environmental management system that replaces the Resource Management Act, aiming to streamline planning processes and provide clearer, nationally consistent information. This reform will enhance property rights, reduce delays and costs in development, and improve resilience to natural hazards by supporting tools like the New Zealand Flood Map, which offers detailed flood risk data. The investment seeks to unify planning systems across councils, boost economic growth, and deliver long-term benefits by creating accessible, reliable digital infrastructure for planning, consenting, and monitoring.
Tags: Chris Bishop Simon Watts Simon Court New Zealand RMA Reform Budget 2026 natural hazard risks planning reforms digital planning system Flood MapNew Zealand Boosts Health System Cyber Security with $153M Investment
1 month ago | 309 viewsNew Zealand is investing $153.6 million through Budget 2026 to significantly enhance cyber security across its health system, including 24/7 monitoring, specialist expertise, and critical IT upgrades, alongside an additional $300 million for digital modernization over three years. This initiative aims to protect sensitive patient data, improve resilience against cyber threats, and prevent service disruptions like those seen in recent incidents such as the Manage My Health breach. Health New Zealand will also implement stricter oversight of third-party vendors, annual audits, and AI-enabled tools to strengthen accountability and cyber security maturity, ensuring safer and more reliable healthcare services.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health New Zealand Cyber security Health system Patient information Budget 2026 Health Digital Investment Plan Primary care Manage My HealthNew Zealand Budget 2026: $5.8B Boost to Healthcare for Better Patient Care
1 month ago | 388 viewsThe New Zealand Government is investing a record $5.8 billion in Budget 2026 to improve healthcare access, reduce wait times, and strengthen frontline services, raising total health spending to $34.2 billion in 2026/27. This funding supports increased care delivery across various sectors, including elective surgeries, cancer treatments, mental health services, and aged care, alongside initiatives like paediatric palliative care and enhanced digital health security. Additionally, structural changes such as removing the capital charge for Health New Zealand aim to improve efficiency without affecting patient care or overall service delivery.
Tags: Simeon Brown New Zealand Budget 2026 Health New Zealand healthcare system mental health paediatric palliative care National Bowel Screening Programme Pharmac frontline health servicesGovernment Creates New MCERT Ministry to Unite Environment, Housing, and Transport
1 month ago | 285 viewsThe Government has passed legislation to create the new Ministry for Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport (MCERT), consolidating several agencies including the Ministry for the Environment, Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, and Ministry of Transport. The Environment (Disestablishment of the Ministry for the Environment) Amendment Bill enables this integration by transferring statutory environmental functions to MCERT’s chief executive, ensuring seamless continuation of environmental responsibilities. This restructuring aims to promote coordinated decision-making that balances environmental protection with economic growth across urban development and infrastructure sectors.
Tags: Chris Bishop Nicola Grigg Ministry for Cities Environment Regions and Transport MCERT Ministry for the Environment Ministry of Housing and Urban Development Ministry of Transport Department of Internal Affairs Environment Act RMA Reform Minister2026 NZ Minister for Manufacturing Awards Celebrate Innovation and Excellence
1 month ago | 373 viewsThe second annual Minister for Manufacturing Awards in New Zealand celebrated businesses and individuals driving innovation, growth, and resilience in the manufacturing sector, which contributes $22 billion annually and 60% of goods exports to the economy. Winners included Architectural Glass Products for process innovation and manufacturing excellence, Devin Gibson as Apprentice of the Year, Oliver Hunt for healthcare remanufacturing leadership, and Jeff Douglas for his transformative legacy in pharmaceutical manufacturing. The awards highlight the sector's commitment to innovation, skills development, sustainable practices, and global competitiveness amid ongoing challenges.
Tags: Cameron Brewer Devin Gibson Oliver Hunt Deanne Holdsworth Jeff Douglas Architectural Glass Products Medsalv PACT Group Arotec Diagnostics Douglas Pharmaceuticals