Health News & Articles
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Government Expands Psychology Intern Hubs to Boost Mental Health Workforce
08 Oct 2026, 11:39 AM | 2 days ago | 85 viewsThe Government is expanding the frontline psychology workforce by increasing the number of Psychology Intern Hubs from six to eight, supporting up to 40 interns annually to gain supervised experience in mental health and addiction services. This initiative, along with doubling clinical psychology internships and creating the new Psychology Assistant role, aims to strengthen pathways from university training into frontline mental health careers. These efforts are part of a broader plan to improve access to support, grow the workforce, and enhance crisis response across the country.
Tags: psychology workforce psychology internships Psychology Intern Hubs mental health services Matt Doocey Psychology Assistants frontline workers clinical psychology university training Health New ZealandGovernment Invests $20M to Boost Mental Health and Addiction Support in NZ Communities
07 Oct 2026, 10:27 AM | 3 days ago | 128 viewsThe Government is supporting 22 NGOs through the third round of the Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund to enhance faster access to support, increase frontline workers, and improve crisis response. The fund, which has supported 39 initiatives so far, enables community organisations to test new approaches and expand successful programs, including addiction recovery, youth crisis services, and integrated mental health care. Various organisations across New Zealand are receiving funding to deliver targeted mental health and addiction support services, aiming to provide earlier and more effective assistance to those in need.
Tags: Mr Doocey Wellington City Mission Aroha ki te Tamariki Trust Hanmer Springs Community Trust Auckland City Mission Tautoko Mai Sexual Harm Support Services Trust Think and Be Me SchoolTV Korowai Aroha Trust Midlands Regional Health Network Charitable TrustLand Secured for Future Hospital in Drury to Boost South Auckland Healthcare
03 Oct 2026, 9:07 AM | 1 week ago | 111 viewsLand has been secured on Karaka Road in Drury for a future hospital facility to address South Auckland’s rapidly growing healthcare needs, with the 13-hectare site offering excellent transport links and proximity to Fisher & Paykel Healthcare’s R&D precinct. The $45.3 million purchase aims to provide space for modern, accessible health infrastructure that supports quality services and fosters innovation in the region. The Government, through NIFCO and Health New Zealand, will plan and potentially develop a major hospital, ensuring long-term investment and flexibility to meet future healthcare demands.
Tags: Simeon Brown South Auckland Drury Karaka Road Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Ngākōroa railway station State Highway 22 National Infrastructure Funding and Financing Health New Zealand New ZealandPharmac Expands Funded Medicines at NZ Pharmacies for Faster Access
02 Oct 2026, 2:58 PM | 1 week ago | 151 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 accessFree Breast Screening Now Available for Women Turning 71 in New Zealand
01 Oct 2026, 7:47 AM | 1 week ago | 145 viewsBreastScreen Aotearoa has expanded free breast screening to include women turning 71, continuing a four-year rollout that will eventually cover women aged 70 to 74, benefiting approximately 120,000 more women. The government has increased capacity with four new mobile units and five new or upgraded sites to improve access, particularly in rural areas, leading to early detection of hundreds of breast cancers since the program began. This initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance women's health in New Zealand, including upcoming free cervical screening and improved endometriosis diagnosis.
Tags: Simeon Brown Nicola Grigg BreastScreen Aotearoa breast cancer mammogram New Zealand women breast screening cervical screening endometriosis Health MinisterNew Zealand Lowers Free Bowel Screening Age to 56 to Save More Lives
30 Sep 2026, 5:30 PM | 1 week ago | 123 viewsNew Zealand is lowering the starting age for free bowel screening from 58 to 56, expanding access to over 200,000 additional people and funding more colonoscopies to detect bowel cancer early. This $45.6 million investment aims to prevent 638 cancers and save 522 lives over 25 years, with staged program expansion ensuring adequate workforce and endoscopy capacity. The initiative, aligned with Australia’s standards, includes new pathways like the FIT for Symptomatic test to prioritize urgent cases and improve screening efficiency.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health Minister New Zealand bowel screening Budget 2026 colonoscopy National Bowel Screening Programme FIT for Symptomatic pathway Australia bowel cancerNew Hawke’s Bay Crisis Recovery Café Opens to Boost Mental Health Support
30 Sep 2026, 10:29 AM | 1 week ago | 107 viewsThe new Hawke’s Bay Crisis Recovery Café, Te Wāhi Poutoko Hūmārie, will offer a calm, peer-led community space for people needing mental health and addiction support, complementing upcoming peer support services in the Emergency Department. Led by Connect Community Trust and local providers, the café aims to provide faster, more compassionate access to support outside clinical settings, operating initially on weekend evenings. These initiatives build on broader government investments to enhance mental health crisis response, increase frontline workers, and expand support services in Hawke’s Bay.
Tags: Matt Doocey Hawke’s Bay Connect Community Trust Crisis Recovery Café Mental Health Minister Peers in ED Youth Mental Health and Addictions Hub Reducing Demand for Methamphetamine Programme Emergency DepartmentCabinet Approves Tougher Penalties to Combat Illicit Tobacco Trade
29 Sep 2026, 3:50 PM | 1 week ago | 119 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 tradeNew Zealand Cuts Diagnostic Waitlists by Up to 48% with 89,000+ Extra Procedures
12 Sep 2026, 8:24 AM | 4 weeks ago | 300 viewsWaitlists for scans, colonoscopies, and heart tests in New Zealand have significantly decreased over the past year, with Health New Zealand delivering 89,039 additional procedures—exceeding the government target by over 14,000—and reducing total waitlists by 21% and long waits by 43%. This improvement was achieved through the $65 million Diagnostic Improvement Plan, which expanded hospital capacity, utilized private providers, and invested in workforce training and data platforms despite a 10% rise in urgent referrals. While progress is notable, Health Minister Simeon Brown emphasizes the need to continue increasing diagnostic services to ensure timely access for all New Zealanders.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health New Zealand APEX union Government radiology colonoscopy cardiac colposcopy CT MRIWhangārei Hospital Redevelopment Begins with New Acute Services Building and Ward Tower
11 Sep 2026, 2:50 PM | 4 weeks ago | 369 viewsWork has begun on the Whangārei Hospital redevelopment, featuring a new acute services building and a 158-bed ward tower to expand capacity and modernize healthcare facilities. The project aims to improve emergency care, increase bed availability, and support government health targets, while also laying the foundation for future expansion. Additionally, the redevelopment is a major economic boost for Northland, expected to contribute $233 million to the regional GDP and create over 2,700 jobs.
Tags: Whangārei Hospital Simeon Brown Northland acute services building ward tower Budget 2026 emergency department healthcare infrastructure hospital redevelopment New Zealand governmentWhangārei Hospital Opens $35M Child Health Centre and New Car Park Extension
11 Sep 2026, 2:48 PM | 4 weeks ago | 252 viewsWhangārei Hospital officially opened a $35 million Child Health Centre, providing modern outpatient and community services tailored for children and young people in Northland. Alongside this, an $18.5 million Car Park 14 extension was completed, adding 573 parking spaces to support the growing hospital campus. These projects are key milestones in the wider hospital redevelopment, enabling the construction of a new acute services building while maintaining effective hospital operations.
Tags: Whangārei Hospital Child Health Centre Simeon Brown Northland paediatric services hospital redevelopment Car Park 14 Dr Shane Reti healthcare infrastructure acute services buildingGovernment Programmes Show Success in Preventing Family Violence Through Community Leadership
10 Sep 2026, 11:30 AM | 4 weeks ago | 286 viewsIndependent evaluations of three government-funded programmes—E Tū Whānau, Pasefika Proud, and the Ethnic Communities Violence Prevention programme—show positive changes in attitudes and behaviours related to family violence. The findings highlight that community-led, locally informed approaches that build on community strengths are most effective in preventing family violence. These results support the Government’s National Strategy, Te Aorerekura, emphasizing prevention and empowering communities to create safer families and whānau.
Tags: Louise Upston Karen Chhour E Tū Whānau Pasefika Proud Ministry of Social Development Te Aorerekura National Strategy family violence sexual violence government programsMilestone Reached for Hawke's Bay, Palmerston North & Tauranga Hospital Redevelopments
10 Sep 2026, 8:47 AM | 1 month ago | 326 viewsPlanning for the redevelopment of Hawke's Bay, Palmerston North, and Tauranga hospitals has advanced with early concept designs showcasing future acute services buildings that centralize critical departments for improved patient care. These projects, part of Health New Zealand's Regional Hospital Redevelopment Programme, follow a consistent, phased approach supported by recently announced Budget 2026 funding for design and site preparation. The developments aim to enhance capacity, connectivity, and facilities, laying a foundation for hospitals that will serve their communities effectively for decades.
Tags: Hawke's Bay Palmerston North Tauranga Simeon Brown Health New Zealand Regional Hospital Redevelopment Programme Health Infrastructure Plan Budget 2026 acute services hospital redevelopmentNew Zealand Enhances Mental Health Telehealth Services with Expanded Support and Faster Access
08 Sep 2026, 12:49 PM | 1 month ago | 337 viewsAn independent review of mental health and addiction telehealth services revealed that while core safety systems are in place, many people face long wait times and inconsistent follow-up after referrals. In response, the government is expanding peer support hours, piloting proactive follow-up calls, establishing a dedicated 24/7 national suicide prevention crisis line, and considering a telehealth target to improve wait times. Recent investments of over $10 million aim to enhance service capacity and ensure timely, accessible support for those in need.
Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Minister Health New Zealand Whakarongorau 1737 Lifeline Youthline telehealth suicide prevention peer supportNew $27M Ngā Moana e Rua Mental Health Facility Opens in Greymouth
07 Sep 2026, 1:32 PM | 1 month ago | 359 viewsMinister for Mental Health Matt Doocey officially opened Ngā Moana e Rua, a new $27 million acute mental health facility at Te Nīkau Hospital in Greymouth, designed to provide a safe, therapeutic environment with modern amenities for inpatient care. This facility is part of the Mental Health Infrastructure Programme and reflects a shift towards faster access, improved frontline support, and better crisis response, with input from clinical teams, people with lived experience, and the community. West Coast mental health services are among the best-performing in the country, and the new unit aims to further enhance care while supporting earlier intervention to prevent inpatient admissions.
Tags: Matt Doocey Ngā Moana e Rua Te Nīkau Hospital Greymouth Mental Health Infrastructure Programme West Coast mental health services inpatient support frontline teams Government mental health plan