Category: medical_science
-
One News NZ Leaders' Debate 2026: Full Transcript — Part 2 of 7
luxon-hipkins-clash-over-health-crisis-nursing-shortages-and-smoke-free-laws-in-leaders-debate-part-2
Politics and GovernmentHealthElectionGeneral PoliticsMedical ScienceSocial Issues One News NZ Leaders Debate 2026Christopher LuxonChris HipkinsJack TameNew Zealand health systemnursing shortagesHealth New ZealandPharmac fundingprostate cancer screeningsmoke-free generation lawsyouth vapingGP visitsmedical trainingNew Zealand politics
-
National Pledges $604m More for Medicines, Funded by Foreign Aid Cuts
A re-elected National Government would add $604 million to Pharmac's medicines budget, cut foreign aid outside the Pacific by 10 per cent, and expand cancer screening.
Politics and GovernmentHealthElectionGeneral PoliticsFederal GovernmentMedical ScienceSocial Issues Simeon BrownNew Zealand National PartyPharmacCancer ScreeningForeign AidCAR-T Cell TherapyClinical TrialsNZ National Party
-
New Zealand Lowers Free Bowel Screening Age to 56
New Zealand's free bowel screening age drops to 56 in six regions from today, part of a $45.6 million Budget 2026 investment expected to save 522 lives over 25 years.
HealthPolitics and GovernmentMedical ScienceGeneral PoliticsFederal Government Bowel ScreeningSimeon BrownNational Bowel Screening ProgrammeBowel CancerColonoscopyHealth New ZealandNew Zealand Government
-
New Zealand GP Clinics to Get $67.3m in Performance-Linked Funding
Health Minister Simeon Brown says clinics that immunise more children, screen more women and help more smokers quit will be rewarded under a $67.3 million general practice package.
HealthPolitics and GovernmentGeneral PoliticsFederal GovernmentMedical ScienceSocial Issues Simeon BrownGeneral practice fundingNew Zealand healthImmunisationCervical screeningSmoking cessationPrimary Health OrganisationsNew Zealand Government
-
New Zealand's Frontline Mental Health Workforce Grows 11 Per Cent as Government Releases Refreshed Plan
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says the refreshed Mental Health and Addiction Workforce Plan builds on an 11 per cent frontline workforce increase, falling vacancy rates and faster access to support.
HealthPolitics and GovernmentEmployment and LaborMedical ScienceArtificial IntelligenceSocial Issues Mental healthMatt DooceyNew Zealand GovernmentMental Health and Addiction Workforce PlanHealth NZWorkforce developmentDigital mental health
-
New Zealand Reports Youth Mental Health Target Data for First Time
Quarter four results show 77.5 per cent of young people accessed primary mental health support within a week, as New Zealand meets four of five national targets.
HealthPolitics and GovernmentGeneral PoliticsSocial IssuesMedical Science Matt DooceyMental healthYouth mental healthNew Zealand GovernmentMental Health and Addiction TargetsEmergency departments
-
NZ Economic Pulse CLOSE: 22 September 2026
NZ dollar slips at official fixing, NZX 50 closes 0.39% higher, Rua Bioscience launches NZ$2.8m rights offer
BusinessEconomyFinancial MarketsBankingHealthMedical Science NZ Economic PulseNew Zealand dollarNZX 50Rua Biosciencerights offerBooster Innovation FundTheiaNovaReserve Bank of New Zealandtrade-weighted indexKMD BrandsFisher & Paykel Healthcarea2 Milk CompanyAir New ZealandRyman HealthcareNZX market closeNZX
-
New Mobile Breast Screening Units Delivered as Free Screening Expands
All four new mobile breast screening units have been delivered, bringing New Zealand's fleet to 14 as free screening extends to women aged 70 to 74 by 2028.
HealthPolitics and GovernmentMedical ScienceSocial IssuesState Governments Breast ScreeningSimeon BrownNicola GriggMobile Screening UnitsBreast CancerWomen's HealthNew Zealand Government
-
New Guidance Ends Routine Cognitive Screening for Older Drivers Based on Age Alone
Seniors Minister Casey Costello welcomes clinical guidance confirming older drivers should not face routine cognitive screening based on age alone, following a University of Auckland review of testing and driving safety.
HealthPolitics and GovernmentGeneral PoliticsTransportationSocial IssuesMedical Science Casey Costelloolder driverscognitive screeningMinistry of HealthRoyal New Zealand College of General PractitionersUniversity of AucklandNew Zealand Government
-
New Zealand Diagnostic Waitlists Fall 21 Per Cent as Target Exceeded
Health New Zealand delivered 89,039 additional diagnostic procedures, more than 14,000 above target, cutting total waitlists 21 per cent and long waits 43 per cent.
HealthPolitics and GovernmentMedical ScienceFederal GovernmentEmployment and Labor Simeon BrownHealth New ZealandDiagnostic Improvement PlanwaitlistsCT scansMRI scansNew Zealand healthNew Zealand Government
-
Greenpeace Urges Canterbury Council to Act on Worsening Nitrate Emergency
Greenpeace Aotearoa's Russel Norman pressed the Canterbury Regional Council on escalating nitrate contamination in rural drinking water, linking it to dairy expansion and urging independent evaluation and stronger regulation.
Politics and GovernmentHealthBusinessGeneral PoliticsFederal GovernmentEconomyEnvironmentMedical ScienceSocial Issues Russel NormanGreenpeace AotearoaCanterbury Regional CouncilNitrate ContaminationDrinking WaterDairy IndustryWater PollutionGreenpeace
-
Greenpeace Accuses Government of Neglecting Rural New Zealanders Amid Nitrate Crisis
Greenpeace alleges the New Zealand government has forsaken rural communities, as new Environment Canterbury maps reveal unsafe nitrate levels in drinking water, particularly in Ashburton, posing significant health risks.
Politics and GovernmentHealthBusinessGeneral PoliticsState GovernmentsEnvironmentMedical ScienceAgricultureSocial Issues GreenpeaceNitrate contaminationDrinking waterEnvironment CanterburyAshburtonDairy industry
-
Injured Palmerston North Officer Recovers from Traumatic Head Injury
A New Zealand Police officer injured by a fleeing vehicle in Palmerston North is recovering from a traumatic head injury in Wellington Hospital. His recovery is expected to be lengthy, and he will move to a specialist facility.
Law EnforcementHealthMedical ScienceLegalSocial Issues New Zealand PolicePalmerston NorthWellington HospitalOfficer InjuryHead InjuryRecovery
-
Man's Death in Hatea River Referred to Coroner
A man's body was found in Whangārei's Hatea River on Saturday, leading to a police investigation and referral to the Coroner. Hapū Te Parawhau has declared a three-day rahui in the area.
Law EnforcementHealthLegalSocial IssuesMedical Science Hatea RiverWhangāreiDeathCoronerNew Zealand PoliceTe ParawhauRahui
-
Rakaia Highway Closed in Allenton Following Serious Two-Vehicle Crash
A two-vehicle crash on Rakaia Highway in Allenton, reported just after 5 am, has led to serious injuries and the closure of the road between Racecourse Road and Northpark Road. Motorists are advised to use diversions.
Law EnforcementHealthTransportationMedical ScienceSocial Issues Rakaia HighwayAllentonNew Zealand PoliceVehicle CrashRoad ClosureSerious InjuriesTraffic
-
Police Renew Appeal for Missing Auckland Woman Courtney Drake
New Zealand Police are renewing their appeal for public assistance to locate Courtney Drake, 31, last seen in Manurewa on July 30. Concerns exist for her health and wellbeing.
Law EnforcementHealthLegalSocial IssuesMedical Science Courtney DrakeMissing PersonAucklandManurewaNew Zealand PolicePublic AppealHealth Concern
-
Serious Flatbush Crash Critically Injures One
A serious collision between a car and a motorcycle on Eros Road in Flatbush has left one person critically injured. Police have closed the road, advising motorists to expect delays as enquiries continue.
Law EnforcementHealthTransportationMedical ScienceLegal FlatbushEros RoadNew Zealand PoliceMotorcycle crashCritical injuriesRoad closureTraffic delays
-
Greenpeace Urges Government Action on Toxic PCP Legacy Following Human Rights Report
Greenpeace welcomes a Human Rights Commission report on the toxic legacy of PCP in New Zealand, calling for government action on contamination, worker compensation, and regulatory reform to prevent future chemical disasters.
Politics and GovernmentHealthBusinessGeneral PoliticsEnvironmentMedical ScienceLegalSocial Issues GreenpeaceHuman Rights CommissionPCPtoxic chemicalstimber industryenvironmental contamination
-
Greenpeace Urges Government Action on PCP Legacy Following Human Rights Report
Greenpeace welcomes a Human Rights Commission report on PCP's human rights implications in New Zealand, urging the government to implement recommendations for affected workers, families, and environmental remediation.
Politics and GovernmentHealthScience & TechnologyGeneral PoliticsMedical ScienceEnvironmentLegalSocial Issues GreenpeaceHuman Rights CommissionPentachlorophenol (PCP)Chemical ContaminationPublic HealthEnvironmental Remediation
-
New Zealand Sees Lowest Births Since 2003 Amid Shifting Demographics
New Zealand recorded its lowest number of registered births since 2003 for the year ended June 2026, with a decrease in live births and fertility rates, while deaths and infant mortality rates increased, according to Statistics New Zealand.
Politics and GovernmentHealthGeneral PoliticsMedical ScienceSocial IssuesEducation BirthsDeathsFertility RateInfant MortalityStatistics New ZealandDemographics
-
Epsom Cyclist Remains Critical, Family Requests Privacy
A young cyclist involved in a Wednesday morning incident in Epsom remains in critical condition. New Zealand Police said the boy's parents are requesting privacy as they deal with the overwhelming situation.
Law EnforcementHealthLegalMedical ScienceSocial Issues EpsomCyclistCritical conditionNew Zealand PolicePrivacyIncidentHospital
-
Multi-Agency Rescue Saves Missing Nelson Woman
A 74-year-old woman was rescued in Nelson by New Zealand Police, Land Search and Rescue, and Hato Hone St John after going missing on a cold evening. She was found hypothermic but is now recovering.
Law EnforcementHealthMedical ScienceSocial Issues NelsonNew Zealand PoliceLand Search and RescueHato Hone St JohnMissing PersonSearch and RescueEmergency Services
-
Three Arrested After 24kg Opium Interception in New Zealand
New Zealand Police arrested three individuals in Tauranga after Customs intercepted 24kg of opium from the UK and India. The arrests followed search warrants, with charges including importing opium and possession of prescription medication.
Law EnforcementHealthLegalSocial IssuesMedical Science New Zealand PoliceTaurangaOpiumDrug TraffickingArrestsWestern Bay of PlentyCustoms
-
SH1 Desert Road Closed After Serious Two-Truck Crash
State Highway 1 / Desert Road is closed both ways following a serious two-truck crash on Waihohonu Bridge. One person is seriously injured, and police advise delaying travel due to icy conditions.
Law EnforcementTransportationHealthGeneral WeatherMedical Science State Highway 1Desert RoadWaihohonu BridgeTruck crashRoad closureNew Zealand PoliceSerious injury
-
New Cancer Machine Boosts Treatment at Wellington Hospital
Wellington Regional Hospital now offers advanced cancer treatment with a new LINAC machine, the first of two replacements from a $12.6 million investment. This upgrade provides precise, targeted radiation therapy, enhancing patient care and supporting clinical innovation.
HealthPolitics and GovernmentMedical ScienceState GovernmentsEducation Wellington Regional HospitalCancer treatmentRadiation therapyLINACSimeon BrownHealthcare technologyNew Zealand Government
-
New Appointments Bolster New Zealand's Medical Council
Health Minister Simeon Brown announced four new appointments and two reappointments to the Medical Council of New Zealand. The Council ensures practitioners are competent, protecting New Zealanders' health and safety.
HealthPolitics and GovernmentGeneral PoliticsState GovernmentsMedical ScienceEducation Medical Council of New ZealandSimeon BrownAppointmentsHealthcareDr Kenneth ClarkNew Zealand Government
-
Serious Crash in Hunterville Injures Three, Diverts Traffic
A serious single-vehicle crash north of Hunterville's Main Street has resulted in three injuries, one serious, and prompted diversions on State Highway 1. Emergency services are on scene.
Law EnforcementHealthTransportationMedical Science HuntervilleCrashState Highway 1InjuriesTraffic DiversionsNew Zealand PoliceEmergency Services
-
Greenpeace Raises Alarm Over Nitrate Contamination in Canterbury Private Water, Citing Preterm Birth Risk
Greenpeace is alarmed by Environment Canterbury's inaction on nitrate contamination. New data shows 38% of Canterbury private water sources are in areas with nitrate levels linked to increased preterm birth risk, urging ECan to regulate the dairy industry.
HealthPolitics and GovernmentBusinessScience & TechnologyEnvironmentMedical ScienceState GovernmentsAgricultureSocial IssuesEconomy CanterburyNitrate contaminationGroundwaterPreterm birthGreenpeaceEnvironment CanterburyDairy industry
-
HelloFresh Pizza Recalled Over Undeclared Cashews
New Zealand Food Safety has issued a recall for a specific batch of HelloFresh Margherita-Style Pizza due to undeclared cashews, posing a risk to individuals with cashew allergies.
HealthBusinessMedical ScienceLegalSocial Issues HelloFreshProduct RecallCashew AllergyNew Zealand Food SafetyMargherita PizzaFood SafetyAllergenMPI
-
Health New Zealand to Offer 1800 Graduate Nurse Roles
Health New Zealand aims to offer around 1800 graduate nurse roles this year, focusing on homegrown talent. Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasized the government's commitment to strengthening the nursing workforce across various specialties and care settings.
Politics and GovernmentHealthGeneral PoliticsNational PartyEmployment and LaborMedical ScienceEducationSocial Issues Health New ZealandSimeon BrownNursing WorkforceGraduate NursesHealthcareRecruitmentNZ National PartyElection