Articles tagged with Service
Easier, Affordable Kids’ Health Treatment via Community Pharmacies in NZ from June
2 days ago | 95 viewsFrom 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.
Tags: Simeon Brown David Seymour Health New Zealand Pharmacists community pharmacies GP appointments Extended Pharmacy Services Fund Pharmaceutical Schedule New Zealand health children's healthcareGovernment to Receive $10M Special Dividend from Landcorp Farming in 2025/26
2 days ago | 76 viewsThe Government will receive a $10 million special dividend from Landcorp Farming Limited, contributing to a total of $25 million in dividends returned to the Crown for the 2025/26 financial year. This payment reflects Landcorp’s strong financial position, improved operations, and commitment to delivering value for taxpayers, supported by favorable commodity prices and disciplined management. The special dividend follows a $9.5 million capital repayment from Fonterra and is considered a pass-through of this non-operating receipt, separate from Landcorp’s ordinary dividend policy.
Tags: Simeon Brown Landcorp Farming Limited New Zealand Government State Owned Enterprises Fonterra Shareholding Ministers Crown dividends public services commodity prices taxpayer valueNZ Expands Cancer Infusion Services Nationwide for Faster, Local Treatment
4 days ago | 100 viewsNew 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.
Tags: Simeon Brown Pharmac Budget 2024 New Zealand cancer treatment infusion centres community infusion services healthcare expansion cancer care medical workforcePrepare for Tropical Cyclone Vaianu: Essential Weather Warnings for Farmers and Rural Communities
1 week ago | 125 viewsFarmers, growers, and rural communities in the North Island, Upper South Island, and Chatham Islands are urged to stay updated and prepare for Tropical Cyclone Vaianu, which is expected to bring heavy rain and damaging winds from Saturday to Monday. Agriculture and Rural Communities Ministers emphasize the importance of safety measures, including self-evacuation from rising waters and moving livestock to higher ground, while acknowledging the resilience of these communities amid ongoing recovery efforts. The Ministry for Primary Industries is actively monitoring the situation and coordinating with local emergency groups, and support is available through the Rural Support Trust for those in need.
Tags: Tropical Cyclone Vaianu Todd McClay Mark Patterson Farmers Growers Rural Communities MetService Ministry for Primary Industries Rural Support Trust North IslandNew $128.5M Spinal Rehab Centre at Manukau Health Park to Boost Care
1 week ago | 162 viewsA new 30-bed specialised spinal rehabilitation centre will be built at Manukau Health Park, replacing the outdated 20-bed Ōtara Spinal Unit and expanding rehabilitation capacity to improve patient care and ease pressure on Middlemore Hospital. This $128.5 million investment includes refurbishing Middlemore Hospital’s adult rehabilitation ward, resulting in a total of 58 rehabilitation beds to meet rising demand through 2040. The modern facility will feature enhanced therapy spaces, integrated clinical services, and improved patient access, reflecting a patient-centred design aligned with the new Model of Rehabilitation.
Tags: Simeon Brown Manukau Health Park Ōtara Spinal Unit Middlemore Hospital Health New Zealand National Remediation Programme Manukau Surgery Centre spinal cord injuries rehabilitation centre acute servicesNZ Government Housing First Program Helps 500+ Move from Rough Sleeping to Stable Homes
2 weeks ago | 171 viewsSix months after increased government support, over 500 households have been housed through the Housing First programme and more than 280 rough sleepers have moved into transitional housing across major New Zealand cities. Outreach services and housing assistance centres are helping around 45 households monthly transition from rough sleeping to temporary or permanent housing. The government is investing in additional social homes and frontline services to provide stable housing and support, aiming to reduce rough sleeping and create lasting pathways for individuals and whānau.
Tags: Tama Potaka Dallas Kete New Zealand Housing First rough sleeping social homes outreach services transitional housing Auckland whānauTemporary 30% Mileage Rate Boost for NZ Home and Community Support Workers
2 weeks ago | 237 viewsHome 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.
Tags: Simeon Brown home and community support workers mileage rates fuel costs Health New Zealand Ministry of Social Development ACC essential healthcare services New Zealand frontline workersNew Zealand to Award Special Service Medal for Support to Ukraine
2 weeks ago | 128 viewsThe New Zealand Government will award the New Zealand Special Service Medal (Support to Ukraine) to Defence personnel who have supported Ukraine’s self-defence following the Russian invasion, recognizing their challenging and impactful service as part of Operation Tīeke. This medal, approved in principle by the Prime Minister and pending Governor-General approval, will be given to those with at least thirty days of qualifying service, highlighting New Zealand’s commitment to upholding the international rules-based order. The NZSSM honors special service involving significant risk and psychological impact, distinct from operational service, and has previously recognized efforts in hazardous or extraordinary circumstances.
Tags: Judith Collins Christopher Luxon New Zealand Defence Force Ukraine Operation Tīeke Operation Interflex New Zealand Special Service Medal NZSSM RussiaNew Zealand Telecom Review: Cutting Red Tape to Boost Innovation and Save $45M
3 weeks ago | 231 viewsRegulation Minister David Seymour and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith announced the completion of the Telecommunications Sector Review, which proposes 22 recommendations aimed at reducing outdated bureaucracy to foster innovation and modernize regulations originally designed for legacy copper networks. Key changes include simplifying Telecommunications Development Levy calculations, removing redundant audit requirements, and updating fibre regulations, projected to deliver $35 to $45 million in net benefits over the next decade. Ministers are currently reviewing the recommendations to ensure telecommunications regulations support a competitive economy and reliable access for all New Zealanders while carefully considering next steps for critical areas like Telecommunications Service Obligations.
Tags: David Seymour Paul Goldsmith Telecommunications Sector Review Telecommunications Service Obligations Telecommunications Development Levy fibre regulations New Zealand telecommunications regulations Cabinet telecom providersGovt.nz App Update: New Digital Wallet and Secure Messaging Features Coming Soon
4 weeks ago | 234 viewsThe Govt. nz app will soon offer new digital features, including a digital wallet for storing accredited credentials from government and private sectors, supported by the Government Credential Issuance Platform. Hospitality New Zealand is collaborating to introduce a digital Kiwi Access Card for age verification, enhancing convenience and security without physical cards. By July 2026, secure messaging will enable direct communication from government agencies, while app use remains voluntary alongside existing service channels.
Tags: Govt. nz app Judith Collins digital identity digital wallet Government Credential Issuance Platform Hospitality New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act Kiwi Access Card New Zealand government servicesGovernment Expands Redress for Abuse Survivors in Mental Health Care to 2022
1 month ago | 218 viewsThe Government is extending the state redress scheme to cover survivors of abuse in State-run mental health inpatient facilities from 1 July 1993 to 30 June 2022, addressing gaps identified after Health New Zealand assumed responsibility in 2022. This change, prompted by survivors' difficulties in accessing recognition and redress, aims to provide consistent support and accountability regardless of when the abuse occurred. The amendment to the Redress System for Abuse in Care Bill is progressing through Parliament, reflecting the Government’s commitment to meaningful change and preventing future harm.
Tags: Erica Stanford Charlotte Health New Zealand Royal Commission Ministry of Social Development Oranga Tamariki New Zealand Government Social Services and Community Select Committee Redress System for Abuse in Care BillHealth NZ Shifts Decision-Making Closer to Patients for Better Care from July 1
1 month ago | 247 viewsFrom 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.
Tags: Health New Zealand Simeon Brown healthcare hospitals patients communities workforce service delivery health system reformHealth Minister Simeon Brown Welcomes New Health NZ Staff Pay Agreement
1 month ago | 190 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for approximately 4,400 Health New Zealand staff represented by the Public Service Association, recognizing their vital role in supporting frontline health services. The agreement includes a 2.5% pay increase in the first year, a 2% increase in the second year, a $500 lump-sum payment, and enhanced on-call and after-hours allowances. This ratification brings the total number of Health New Zealand employees covered by collective agreements to around 20,000, ensuring staff certainty and continued quality care for New Zealanders.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister Health New Zealand Public Service Association PSA PAKS APEX collective agreement frontline teams pay increaseNew Zealand Passes Bill to Digitise Secondary Legislation Access and Services
1 month ago | 246 viewsThe Legislation Amendment Bill, recently passed in Parliament, aims to improve access to secondary legislation by standardizing its publication across all agencies. It addresses current difficulties in finding regulations and other legal materials by creating a single, redeveloped New Zealand Legislation website as a one-stop access point. This digital modernization will help individuals and businesses better understand their legal obligations and reduce compliance costs.
Tags: Judith Collins New Zealand Legislation Amendment Bill secondary legislation government services Parliament digital government compliance New Zealand Legislation websiteNew MRI Scanner at Wairarapa Hospital Cuts Wait Times and Travel for Patients
1 month ago | 277 viewsA new $3.7 million MRI scanner will be installed at Wairarapa Hospital to improve local access to diagnostic services, reducing the need for patients to travel to other districts. Currently, Wairarapa patients face long wait times of around 72 days for MRI scans, but the new facility aims to cut this to a 42-day target, enabling earlier diagnosis and treatment. This investment supports the government's goals of faster cancer treatment, shorter specialist wait times, and strengthened regional health service resilience.
Tags: Wairarapa Hospital MRI scanner Health Minister Simeon Brown diagnostic services lower North Island radiology services Hutt Valley Wellington Palmerston North cancer treatment