Health News & Articles
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First Psychology Assistant Students Train in New Zealand to Boost Mental Health Workforce
24 Jul 2026, 12:07 PM | 2 months ago | 656 viewsPsychology Assistant students in New Zealand are training for a new role designed to expand the mental health workforce and improve access to support, with the first graduates entering the workforce next year. Funded by a $28.45 million investment in Budget 2026, these assistants will work under registered psychologists to provide low-intensity interventions and support, allowing psychologists to focus on more complex cases. This initiative complements efforts to nearly double clinical psychology internships by 2026, aiming to better meet the growing demand for mental health services across the country.
Tags: Psychology Assistant Mental Health Matt Doocey University of Canterbury Auckland University of Technology New Zealand Psychologists Board Budget 2026 Clinical Psychology Mental Health Workforce Health New ZealandHealth NZ to Offer 1800 Graduate Nurse Roles Nationwide in 2024
23 Jul 2026, 11:20 AM | 2 months ago | 545 viewsHealth New Zealand plans to offer around 1800 graduate nurse roles in the coming year to strengthen the nursing workforce with locally trained professionals. Last year, 1716 offers were made, resulting in 1845 graduate nurses employed across various health sectors, including hospitals, primary care, and community services. Recruitment will continue nationwide throughout the year, covering diverse specialties and supporting nurses into frontline, primary, and community care roles.
Tags: Health New Zealand Simeon Brown graduate nurse roles nursing workforce registered nurses enrolled nurses primary care community services emergency departments mental health servicesGovernment to Publicly Report Youth Mental Health Support Access Speeds Quarterly
22 Jul 2026, 2:34 PM | 2 months ago | 739 viewsMental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced that the Government will begin publicly reporting the speed at which young people access mental health support in quarterly target results to increase transparency and accountability. Despite improvements, barriers such as lack of awareness and embarrassment persist, prompting initiatives like the Youth Mental Health Summit and increased funding for youth services. Current data shows that over 73% to 79% of young people are accessing various mental health services within target timeframes, with ongoing efforts to improve these outcomes.
Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Minister Youthline Mental Health Foundation New Zealand Gumboot Friday Youth Mental Health Summit young people mental health support governmentSecond Native Bird in New Zealand Confirmed with H5 Bird Flu, Response Steps Up
17 Jul 2026, 3:38 PM | 2 months ago | 569 viewsNew Zealand has confirmed its second case of H5 bird flu in a native Kāhu hawk, prompting increased surveillance and support for the poultry industry, alongside ongoing vaccination efforts for endangered native birds. The Department of Conservation is actively vaccinating vulnerable species, enhancing biosecurity, and collaborating with partners to mitigate the virus's impact on wildlife. The public is urged to report sightings of sick or dead birds promptly while avoiding contact, as authorities continue monitoring and managing the spread of bird flu.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Tama Potaka Kāhu H5 bird flu brown skua kākāpō takahē tūturuatu kakī kākāriki karakaNew Canterbury Mental Health Co-Response Team Shows Positive Early Results
16 Jul 2026, 2:57 PM | 2 months ago | 667 viewsA new mental health co-response team in Canterbury, combining mental health professionals and Police, has supported 35 people since May, showing positive early outcomes. This initiative addresses previous shortcomings where mental health distress calls received a criminal justice response, aiming to provide more appropriate and compassionate care. The model, proven effective in Wellington, reduces emergency department visits and police interventions, improving crisis support for those in mental distress.
Tags: Canterbury mental health Matt Doocey Police New Zealand crisis response Specialist Mental Health Services Mental Health Act WellingtonFirst H5 Bird Flu Case Detected in New Zealand Seabird; Public Advised to Stay Alert
15 Jul 2026, 3:55 PM | 2 months ago | 655 viewsA brown skua found on Petone beach in Wellington tested positive for the H5N1 avian influenza strain, marking New Zealand's first detection of this globally circulating bird flu, though there is no evidence of wider spread or poultry infection. Authorities, including MPI and the Department of Conservation, are closely monitoring the situation, urging the public to report groups of sick or dead birds without handling them, while continuing biosecurity measures and vaccination programs for endangered native birds. New Zealand remains prepared to protect poultry production and wildlife, emphasizing that eggs and poultry meat are safe to eat and maintaining ongoing surveillance and industry collaboration.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard Biosecurity Minister Ministry for Primary Industries Department of Conservation Health New Zealand Poultry Council kākāpō takahē kakī kākāriki karakaNew Dunedin Hospital Inpatient Building Rises as Steel Installation Begins
15 Jul 2026, 12:40 PM | 2 months ago | 698 viewsThe New Dunedin Hospital’s inpatient building has begun vertical construction with the installation of structural steel, marking significant progress on the project after contract signing and site preparation. The 11-level facility, designed to improve patient care and flow, involves extensive fabrication and transport of over 15,200 steel pieces by New Zealand companies, supporting local jobs and the economy. Scheduled for completion in late 2030 and operational by 2031, the hospital will serve Dunedin and the wider Otago and Southland regions for generations.
Tags: New Dunedin Hospital Simeon Brown Cadbury site CPB Contractors Auckland Christchurch Southern region Otago Southland New ZealandGovernment Invests $35M to Expand Forensic Mental Health Services and Beds by 2027
15 Jul 2026, 9:59 AM | 2 months ago | 612 viewsThe government is investing $35 million in Budget 2026 to expand forensic mental health services, including adding inpatient beds, step-down beds, and increasing prison in-reach and court liaison staff to improve access and support. This funding builds on the previous year’s $51 million investment, collectively adding 14 new forensic inpatient and step-down beds and boosting frontline workers to enhance rehabilitation and community reintegration. The expanded services aim to reduce delays, improve patient outcomes, and increase safety for staff and communities, with new facilities expected to open in early 2027.
Tags: Matt Doocey Mental Health Minister Mason Clinic Porirua forensic campus Health New Zealand Budget 2026 Budget 2025 forensic mental health court liaison staff$3.5M NZ Government Project Funds High-Tech Power Wheelchairs for Disabled
13 Jul 2026, 3:00 PM | 2 months ago | 645 viewsA $3.5 million government-funded project aims to provide 100 people with progressive conditions like Multiple Sclerosis and Cerebral Palsy access to high-performance power wheelchairs to improve independence, participation, and quality of life. The two-year research program will evaluate the social and economic benefits of advanced wheelchair technology in New Zealand, informing future policy, funding, and equipment provision. This initiative reflects the government's commitment to leveraging assistive technology to enhance wellbeing and reduce long-term health and support costs for disabled individuals.
Tags: Louise Upston Enable New Zealand Disability Support Services Multiple Sclerosis Cerebral Palsy Budget 2025 New Zealand Government disability research assistive technologyGovernment Invests $10M to Boost NZ Mental Health Telehealth Services
13 Jul 2026, 8:59 AM | 2 months ago | 728 viewsThe New Zealand Government is investing over $10 million to strengthen mental health and addiction telehealth services, including funding for Lifeline, Youthline, and Whakarongorau to increase capacity and reduce wait times. This package will support approximately 16,000 additional calls and introduce an AI-enabled triage and referral tool to improve service efficiency and connect people to appropriate support. The funding provides Lifeline with operational certainty for 2026/2027 and expands Youthline’s capacity by 44 percent, addressing growing demand across the sector.
Tags: Lifeline Youthline Whakarongorau Matt Doocey New Zealand mental health addiction telehealth AI triage tool Government fundingGovernment Launches Free Online Food Safety Course for Food Businesses
09 Jul 2026, 2:53 PM | 3 months ago | 681 viewsThe Government, led by Minister Andrew Hoggard, is launching a free online food safety course to reduce costs for thousands of food businesses, which typically spend $50 to $200 per staff member on training. The course series, developed with industry input, includes modules on personal hygiene, maintaining a safe workplace, handling food safely, allergens, and traceability, all aimed at preventing foodborne illnesses. This initiative is part of broader efforts to simplify and improve food safety practices for businesses of all sizes.
Tags: Andrew Hoggard food safety foodborne illness personal hygiene food businesses Restaurant Association Hospitality NZ food safety training allergens traceabilityNew Zealand Invests $9M in FASD Community Hubs for Early Diagnosis and Support
09 Jul 2026, 1:05 PM | 3 months ago | 707 viewsNew Zealand is investing $9 million to establish its first community-based hubs for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) assessment, diagnosis, and support in Rotorua/Kawerau, Hawke’s Bay, and Gisborne, addressing significant local needs. These hubs aim to provide earlier intervention, comprehensive services, and family support to improve lifelong health, learning, and development outcomes for affected children and young people. This initiative builds on a previous $4.6 million government funding boost to prevent FASD and enhance support, tackling longstanding barriers to timely diagnosis and care.
Tags: Matt Doocey New Zealand FASD Rotorua Kawerau Hawke’s Bay Gisborne Associate Health Minister GovernmentGisborne Opens New Crisis Recovery Café for Mental Health Support
09 Jul 2026, 10:21 AM | 3 months ago | 776 viewsMental Health Minister Matt Doocey officially opened Gisborne’s new Crisis Recovery Café, a safe, non-clinical space where people experiencing mental health and addiction challenges can receive peer support and connect with community services without a referral. The café, run by Te Kupenga Net Trust, operates weekdays and aims to provide an alternative to emergency departments, emphasizing the importance of wraparound support and peer workers who understand lived experiences. This initiative is part of a broader rollout of eight Crisis Recovery Cafés nationwide to improve mental health support through trusted community organizations.
Tags: Matt Doocey Te Kupenga Net Trust Gisborne Crisis Recovery Café Te Kāuta café Mental Health Minister Tairāwhiti peer support emergency departments addiction challengesNew Zealand Launches Women's Health Hub for Trusted, Easy-to-Find Information
08 Jul 2026, 8:53 AM | 3 months ago | 625 viewsA new Women’s Health Hub has been launched in New Zealand to provide trusted, practical health information tailored to women’s needs at different life stages. Developed by the Ministry for Women and Health New Zealand, the online platform consolidates reliable resources, guidance for healthcare appointments, and educational videos to support informed decision-making. This initiative addresses women’s feedback about overwhelming health information and aims to help them take an active role in managing their health and wellbeing.
Tags: Women’s Health Hub Nicola Grigg Casey Costello Ministry for Women Health New Zealand women’s health health information life stages healthcare providers health wellbeingNew Collective Agreement Boosts Pay and Services for Medical Imaging Technologists
07 Jul 2026, 10:08 AM | 3 months ago | 814 viewsHealth Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for approximately 1,000 Medical Imaging Technologists (MITs) employed by Health New Zealand, which includes pay increases of 2.5% in 2026 and 2% in 2027. The agreement supports a transition to seven-day service provision, enhancing scanning capacity to enable quicker diagnosis and treatment for patients. This ratification follows similar approvals for various other healthcare professional groups, reflecting constructive engagement between APEX and Health New Zealand.
Tags: Simeon Brown Health New Zealand Medical Imaging Technologists APEX PSA STONZ ASMS NZNO collective agreement healthcare