Articles tagged with Uk
Showing 15 of 75 articles
Pharmac Funds New Combination Therapies for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia in NZ
08 Apr 2026 | 5 months ago | 876 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour applauds Pharmac’s decision to fund two new combination therapies—venetoclax with ibrutinib or obinutuzumab—as first-line treatments for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), along with expanded access to ibrutinib as a second-line option. These treatments, available from May 2026, aim to improve patient outcomes by enabling longer remission, reducing the need for chemotherapy and hospital visits, and accommodating patient feedback gathered through community consultation. Since the government increased Pharmac’s budget, over 200,000 patients have benefited from funding decisions on 133 medicines, including 46 cancer treatments, reflecting a more collaborative approach with the patient community.
Tags: David Seymour Pharmac chronic lymphocytic leukaemia CLL venetoclax ibrutinib obinutuzumab cancer medication New Zealand cancer patientsSunda Energy Acquires Matahio Assets Boosting New Zealand’s Petroleum Sector
08 Apr 2026 | 5 months ago | 975 viewsResources Minister Shane Jones welcomes the sale of Matahio Energy’s New Zealand assets to Sunda Energy as a positive sign of growing international interest and investment in the country’s petroleum sector. The transaction includes established onshore oil and gas operations in Taranaki and supports economic resilience, energy security, and regional development. Sunda Energy will now seek regulatory approvals, with the deal reflecting confidence in New Zealand’s oil and gas future and the importance of revitalizing proven assets.
Tags: Matahio Energy Sunda Energy Shane Jones New Zealand Taranaki petroleum sector oil and gas Cheal Sidewinder Puka exploration permitTukituki Water Security Project Begins Pre-Construction in Hawkes Bay with $18M Loan
07 Apr 2026 | 5 months ago | 982 viewsThe Tukituki Water Security Project in Hawkes Bay will begin pre-construction work supported by an $18.13 million loan from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to enhance water storage and security. The project aims to enable irrigation of up to 22,000 hectares, create 300 construction jobs, and boost the region’s annual GDP by up to $693 million by supporting horticulture, seed production, and pastoral farming. By storing 104 million cubic meters of water, the facility will address water scarcity in one of New Zealand’s driest regions, promoting long-term economic growth and resilience.
Tags: Mark Patterson Tukituki Water Security Project Hawkes Bay Regional Infrastructure Fund water storage irrigation economic development food production water security Tukituki Water Limited PartnershipNew Zealand to Award Special Service Medal for Support to Ukraine
31 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 794 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 Lowers Bowel Screening Age to 58, Expands Lifesaving Tests
25 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 943 viewsNew Zealand has lowered the starting age for bowel screening from 60 to 58 across most regions, enabling around 40,000 more people to access early detection and potentially preventing hundreds of cancers and deaths over 25 years. The rollout is staged to ensure sufficient workforce and endoscopy capacity, with the FIT for Symptomatic pathway expanding nationwide to help detect bowel cancer earlier in symptomatic individuals and reduce unnecessary colonoscopies by at least 30%. These initiatives aim to improve cancer diagnostics and care, supporting earlier detection and better prioritization of patients to save more lives.
Tags: Simeon Brown New Zealand MidCentral Australia Auckland Counties Manukau Waitematā Waikato Hawke's BayNew Child Mental Health Service Opens in Counties Manukau for Faster Youth Support
19 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 883 viewsA new dedicated child mental health service, Te Ooritetanga oo ngaa Ratonga moo ngaa Tamariki, has been launched in Counties Manukau to provide faster access and early intervention for young people up to intermediate school age facing moderate to severe mental health challenges. This specialist team, part of the Infant, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, includes a range of professionals and aims to support the region's rapidly growing youth population with wraparound care. Funded by an $18.7 million government investment, the initiative is part of a broader plan to expand the mental health workforce and improve crisis response to prevent youth from falling through the cracks.
Tags: Matt Doocey Counties Manukau Te Ooritetanga oo ngaa Ratonga moo ngaa Tamariki ICAMHS child mental health youth suicide New Zealand Mental Health Minister Health NZ whānau workersSH35 East Coast Reopens 24/7 After Severe Weather Repairs
16 Mar 2026 | 5 months ago | 964 viewsTransport Minister Chris Bishop announced the end of night closures on State Highway 35, restoring 24-hour access after severe weather caused extensive damage earlier this year. Crews have removed around 25,000 cubic metres of material, installed drainage, and laid new road surfaces, though ongoing work and caution while driving remain necessary. Additionally, work has begun on a retaining wall at the Waikura slip to improve road resilience, with continued efforts expected to ensure safety and access.
Tags: Chris Bishop Transport Minister State Highway 35 SH35 East Coast route NZTA Waikura Punaruku Hicks Bay Te AraroaUruguay and New Zealand Strengthen Bilateral Ties on Foreign Affairs Minister Visit
04 Mar 2026 | 6 months ago | 1084 viewsThe Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Uruguay and New Zealand reaffirmed their strong bilateral relationship based on shared values such as multilateralism, democracy, human rights, and respect for international law, while emphasizing cooperation on global issues including environmental governance, peace, and gender equality. They committed to advancing an open, rules-based multilateral trading system, highlighted joint efforts in sustainable agriculture and investment, and supported initiatives like the Cairns Group, FIT-P, and Uruguay’s integration into digital and gender-focused trade agreements. Both countries also stressed the importance of people-to-people ties through cultural, educational, and youth exchanges, and pledged to maintain ongoing political dialogue and collaboration in international forums.
Tags: Uruguay New Zealand Montevideo Venezuela Iran Ukraine WTO Cairns Group DEPANew Zealand Boosts Ukraine Aid by $8M and Expands Sanctions on Russia
23 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 934 viewsNew Zealand will provide $8 million in new assistance to Ukraine, including $5 million for humanitarian aid and $3 million for energy resilience and reconstruction, raising its total aid to $45 million over four years. The government is also implementing its 34th round of sanctions against Russia, targeting oil price caps, shadow fleet vessels, and entities from Belarus, Iran, and North Korea that support Russia’s military efforts. These measures aim to curb Russia’s war capabilities and demonstrate New Zealand’s ongoing solidarity with Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict.
Tags: New Zealand Ukraine Russia Winston Peters Belarus Iran North Korea World Bank sanctions humanitarian assistanceState-Owned Enterprises Minister Announces Key Reappointments to Four SOEs
18 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 1006 viewsState-Owned Enterprises Minister Simeon Brown announced reappointments to leadership roles at four state-owned companies, including AsureQuality Ltd, Dunedin International Airport Ltd, Meteorological Service of New Zealand Ltd, and New Zealand Post Ltd. The reappointments, effective between March and July 2026, involve key positions such as Chair, Deputy Chair, and directors. Brown emphasized that these experienced leaders will provide stability and strong governance to support the organisations' delivery for New Zealanders.
Tags: Simeon Brown Belinda Storey Catherine Taylor Brendon Puketapu Bruce WattieStuart Calman Appointed New Zealand’s Climate Change Ambassador for 2026
18 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 1045 viewsStuart Calman has been appointed as New Zealand’s Climate Change Ambassador, bringing extensive experience in foreign policy, trade, and climate policy, particularly in the Pacific and Southeast Asia. His role will focus on supporting Australia’s chairmanship of the UN Climate COP31 negotiations in 2026 and advancing New Zealand’s economic, trade, and climate objectives. Calman, a senior diplomat with a background in energy and sustainable development, will begin his Wellington-based position on February 16, 2026, succeeding Stuart Horne.
Tags: Simon Watts Stuart Calman New Zealand Climate Change Ambassador Stuart Horne ASEAN Massey University Ngāti Toa Raukawa ki te Tonga Kāi TahuSH35 Reopens Tomorrow Connecting Tairāwhiti to Bay of Plenty After Floods
18 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 1139 viewsState Highway 35, closed for three weeks due to heavy rainfall and significant slips, will reopen daily from 7am to 7pm tomorrow, restoring vital access between Tairāwhiti and the eastern Bay of Plenty. Major repair efforts focused on clearing large slips, especially the Punaruku slip, with crews working around the clock to ensure safety despite ongoing fragility and single-lane traffic. Transport Minister Chris Bishop emphasized the importance of the reopening for local communities and thanked workers and residents for their patience and support during the restoration process.
Tags: Chris Bishop Dana Kirkpatrick State Highway 35 Tairāwhiti Bay of Plenty Pōtaka Te Araroa Waikura slip Punaruku slip Cyclone GabriellePharmac Proposes Funding New Combination Therapies for CLL Blood Cancer in NZ
17 Feb 2026 | 6 months ago | 993 viewsAssociate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown support Pharmac’s proposal to fund two new combination therapies—venetoclax with ibrutinib, and venetoclax with obinutuzumab—as first-line treatments for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) starting May 2026. These treatments aim to improve patient outcomes by enabling longer remission, reducing the need for chemotherapy, and offering more convenient pill-based options, including availability in private clinics to minimize patient disruption. The Government’s broader commitment includes investing $604 million to fund new blood cancer medicines, expanding stem cell transplant services, and enhancing cancer care access and timeliness across New Zealand.
Tags: David Seymour Simeon Brown Pharmac venetoclax ibrutinib obinutuzumab chronic lymphocytic leukaemia blood cancer New Zealand Government cancer treatmentNew Zealand and Germany Strengthen Strategic Partnership Amid Global Challenges
02 Feb 2026 | 7 months ago | 1008 viewsNew Zealand and Germany have agreed to strengthen their strategic partnership, emphasizing shared concerns about global developments and common values such as democracy and human rights. Their collaboration spans defense support, trade, scientific research, tourism, and education, underpinned by a commitment to multilateral cooperation. Additionally, both countries reaffirmed their support for the Antarctic Treaty System to ensure the continent's protection for peace and science.
Tags: New Zealand Germany Winston Peters Johann Wadephul strategic partnership Antarctica Antarctic Treaty System Ukraine Indo Pacific EuropeNew Zealand and Germany Strengthen Partnership for Global Security and Prosperity
02 Feb 2026 | 7 months ago | 1057 viewsNew Zealand and Germany reaffirmed their strong partnership based on shared democratic values, commitment to international law, and multilateralism, emphasizing cooperation across strategic, economic, security, and cultural domains. They highlighted the importance of upholding the UN Charter, supporting regional stability in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, addressing climate change, and enhancing trade, innovation, and supply chain resilience. Both countries committed to deepening bilateral ties, promoting human rights, and maintaining close coordination on global challenges to ensure a stable, secure, and prosperous international environment.
Tags: New Zealand Germany United Nations NATO Pacific Islands Forum European Union Māori Moriori ASEAN Ukraine