Podcasts about health nz

Wellington's Depression Recovery Centre is now almost certain to close after it received news this afternoon that Health NZ won't save it. ACC recently stopped funding clients to use Whakamatutu's services and the centre hoped Health NZ could cover the shortfall. But in an email this afternoon Health NZ told the centre it didn't have any discretionary funds available. Depression Recovery Trust's Wellington Board chair Dame Diana Crossan spoke to Lisa Owen.

The number of known measles cases in the country has climbed to 17, with new cases confirmed in Wellington and Auckland over the weekend. Health NZ's executive national director Dr Nick Chamberlain spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The Government's turning to rapid off-site building, to add 140 extra beds to hospitals around the country. It's announced new wards will be constructed off-site for Middlemore, Waikato, Wellington and Nelson hospitals next year. They'll open at the same time as an already-announced new ward at Hawke's Bay Hospital. Health New Zealand's Head of Infrastructure Delivery Blake Lepper, told Mike Hosking that the budget has allowed them to get one extra unit than what they were expecting. He says they're ordering buildings that can be sent to wherever the highest needs are around the country. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government has announced 140 new hospital beds across the country to ease pressure on emergency departments. These beds will be part of new wards in Middlemore, Waikato, Wellington, and Nelson hospitals, alongside the new Hawke's Bay ward announced earlier in the year. Health Minister Simeon Brown says operational funding for the 350 extra staff that will be needed, has already been approved. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Thursday, 30 October 2025, National MP Andrew Bayly tells Heather he was misled and now thinks it was a mistake to resign from his ministerial portfolios. Why won't Health NZ make it easier for parents who want to vaccinate their babies against measles? Fonterra's CEO Miles Hurrell is stoked farmer shareholders have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a deal that will see a French company buy its consumer brands. Chris Luxon has invited Donald Trump to come to New Zealand for a round of golf with... former PM John Key! Key tells Heather which golf course he'd take the US president to. Air NZ boss Nikhil Ravishankar in studio with Heather... does he regret asking the Government for a subsidy in his first week? Plus, the Huddle debates Andrew Bayly and whether Chris Luxon's wealth is fair game for Chris Hipkins. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand may be on the cusp of another measles outbreak. There are ten known cases: One of those cases came from overseas, and the other nine were contracted locally. Health NZ has said the risk of further measles cases, contacts, and exposures across the country remains ‘very high’. The confirmation of new cases unconnected to international travel though has experts worried. Today on The Front Page, University of Canterbury senior lecturer in epidemiology, Anna Howe, is with us to discuss what you need to know. Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Chelsea DanielsEditor/Producer: Richard MartinProducer: Jane YeeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Experts says New Zealand is in the danger zone for a measles outbreak, but it could be prevented if more people get vaccinated. It comes after Health NZ identified a possible super spreader event on board a Cook Strait ferry during the school holidays. Felix Walton reports.

Health NZ is releasing a new information campaign to encourage parents to immunise their children after the outbreak of measles in Northland. 

Health New Zealand has just under two weeks to comply with a WorkSafe order to put systems in place to protect workers from psychosocial risks at work. Health New Zealand Interim Chief HR Officer Robyn Shearer spoke to Corin Dann.

Tonight on The Huddle, Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners and former head of Health NZ, Rob Campbell, joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Nestle has quit a major alliance to reduce methane emissions from dairy suppliers. Does this mean New Zealand needs to rethink its approach to climate change, like ACT suggested? The Māori Party announced their big reset ahead of the 2026 election - hours after Speaker Gerry Brownlee had to suspend the House again after a haka broke out. What do we make of all this? Are we surprised to learn that Hamas and Israel agreed on the first phase of a peace deal in Gaza? Do we need to give Donald Trump some credit? There's growing drugs to decriminalise drugs in New Zealand - do we think this is a good idea? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast for Tuesday 7th of October, there are new measures from the Government to improve attendance rates, with dozens more schools signing up for support. Health NZ's buying thousands of vapes —including flavoured products— for those trying to quit smoking, and Mike is incredulous. Chelsea Winter discusses her new cookbook and answers questions on that wellness retreat. Get the Mike Hosking Breakfast Full Show Podcast every weekday morning on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A researcher says all she can do is laugh about the Government ordering more vapes for those wanting to quit smoking. Health New Zealand's been providing vape kits to smokers for almost a year as part of a pilot programme, initially ordering three thousand kits. Newstalk ZB has revealed it's ordering more, including flavours like cinnamon and blueberry. Auckland University researcher Kelly Burrowes told Mike Hosking the Government seems to be promoting and supporting vaping as a healthier product. She says there's many studies coming out showing there are negative short and medium-term impacts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Early Edition with Ryan Bridge Full Show Podcast Tuesday 7th of October 2025 David Seymour's hitting the gas on school attendance targets, lead Principal of the Manurewa attendance service, Cathy Chalmers shares her thoughts on the new plan. Health NZ is ordering thousands more vapes to help smokers quit, General Practitioners Aotearoa Chair Dr Buzz Burrell tells Ryan what GPs think of it. The Commerce Commission says it won't investigate sky-high airport costs despite pressure from airlines, NZ Airports Association Chief Executive Billie Moore shares her thoughts. Plus Australia Correspondent Donna Demaio has the latest on the defence treaty between Papa New Guinea and Australia. Get the Early Edition Full Show Podcast every weekday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A boost for the vaping industry as the Government asks for tenders for devices for long-time smokers. Health New Zealand's provided three thousand of the devices since January, under a pilot programme. But Newstalk ZB can reveal it plans to order more - including flavours like cinnamon and blueberry at the maximum legal nicotine level. Health NZ is talking up the PR benefits to suppliers, saying it will increase their health system profile, credibility and visibility. General Practitioners Aotearoa Chair Dr Buzz Burrell shares his thoughts with Ryan. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Public Service Association has said a rollback of Health NZ work programmes in the alcohol harm prevention space is the result of lobbying from the alcohol industry. Investigative reporter Guyon Espiner spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Fish and Game New Zealand and University of Otago researchers surveyed one thousand nine hundred Kiwi anglers and found they were 52 percent less likely to report psychological distress or thoughts of self harm. Fish and Game's Chief Operating Officer Richie Cosgrove spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Pharmac believes it makes sense to leave the day-to-day stuff to Health NZ. The Associate Health Minister and Minister Simeon Brown have jointly announced the national agency and drug-buyer can both procure medical devices. Pharmac will focus on more-technical equipment —due to its level of clinical input and assessment— and Health NZ on bulk-buying standard items. Pharmac Chair Paula Bennett told Mike Hosking it clears up uncertainty around who does what. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's concerns the figures given on Government health targets don't give the whole picture. Numbers on cancer treatment access, childhood immunisation, ED stays and wait times improved in the latest quarter. But Patient Voice Aotearoa's Malcolm Mulholland says the data doesn't reflect things like when patients leave ED. He says there are also questions around the cancer target - which asks for 90 percent of patients to start treatment within 31 days of deciding it'll happen. "Many oncologists would say - that's the wrong metric, the right metric is from the date of diagnosis to the date you are first seen by a specialist." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than 11 years after the deaths of two patients at Palmerston North Hospital's mental health ward triggered damning reviews into the facility, a replacement has been opened. But the families of Erica Hume and Shaun Gray who died in 2014, and families of patients who have died since, were absent at the official ceremony today. Health NZ says they'll get a chance to look through the new ward and has apologised if they wanted to attend the opening. A warning, this report from Jimmy Ellingham mentions suicide.

6000 senior doctors and dentists have today walked off the job, in a 48-hour strike that began at midnight. Union members are taking part in protests across the motu as drawn-out collective agreement negotiations stall. Health Minister Simeon Brown has criticised the strike action, which Health NZ says will affect thousands of patients. It's now taking unprecedented legal action to end the industrial dispute, but the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists says government officials aren't coming to the negotiating table with any meaningful offers. Jessica Hopkins reports.

Here's some things we can do to help the economy through jobs. Firstly, compulsory arbitration. I'm sick and tired of teachers and nurses and doctors striking. The current strike this week by doctors, they claim, has been a result of more than a year of negotiation. Surely at some point —and Health NZ have finally pulled the trigger— it becomes apparent that two sides aren't going to cut a deal, and some heads need to be banged together. So, Health NZ have asked for arbitration. A simple law that is time-lined would save the hassle. Whether it's time, or meetings, offers and counteroffers, it doesn't matter. Give it your best shot – if it doesn't work, let a mediator do the business and make it binding. Secondly, the migration pathways announced yesterday. It seems to have taken an age to realise that the simple truth, rightly or wrongly, for this country is we need a shed load of people. Yesterday's settings were hardly for rocket scientists. But that's the sad truth about our economy – a lot of the issues around jobs are the bread and butter of daily life. The Chocolate Fish Café in Wellington has written to the Minister. They need a pathway for people to work in hospitality. Should they? No. Should jobless be keen to fill the gaps? Of course. But that's our lot – a bunch of lazy people more interested in skiving than working. So migration is the answer. They took an age on foreign houses as well, but we got there. I'm big on immigration. People bring skills and culture, and they generally work hard, they earn money and pay taxes. There is growth in numbers. The other truth for now we can't ignore is that too many really good New Zealanders have bailed. We need a skill and talent reset. The world is a competition. Everywhere is a landing spot. The previous Government made us a place to leave. The current lot may change that. I pray they do, but for now talent is still an issue and good people are still hard to find. The 'here and now' answer is immigration. Find those that like the look of us and make them a deal. Residency is a deal. Yes, some may go to Australia, so Peters is technically correct. But if we are good some may not, so we win. We need all levers, all ideas, more productivity, more pace, less mucking around, fewer strikes, more attitude, more determination, more deals and more pathways. It's not hard. You just have to want to do it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The senior doctor's union is criticising Health New Zealand's decision to call in the Employment Relations Authority to sort out pay talks. Around 6000 doctors and dentists are walking off the job nationwide tomorrow and Wednesday. The ERA's been requested to fix the terms and conditions of a collective agreement - in a move unprecedented for the public sector. Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Executive Director Sarah Dalton says they've done some work with the ERA in the past. "We were not happy with the way the ERA authority members applied themselves to the task, and we didn't find them to take an independent view." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode, in a blow for the Government, the economy has had a much larger slump than expected which the Finance Minister's blaming in part on Donald Trump's trade tariffs, negotiations between Health New Zealand and senior hospital doctors have hit a wall - Health NZ has asked the Employment Relations Authority to come up with a settlement, Contact Energy says it's seeking fast-track approval to adjust Lake Hawea's minimum operating level in a bid to help generate more renewable energy and keep the region's power supply reliable, we're joined by our sports panel - One News Sports Editor Abby Wilson and former All Black captain Taine Randell, and we cross the ditch to Canberra to talk to our correspondent Kerry-Anne Walsh.

Negotiations between Health New Zealand and senior hospital doctors have hit a wall - Health NZ has asked the Employment Relations Authority to come up with a settlement. Health NZ's acting chief executive Richard Sullivan spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Negotiations between senior doctors and the Government have broken down. They've rejected a $160 million offer and are set to strike for 48 hours next week. The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists had put a proposal which would have cost about $300 million. Executive Director Sarah Dalton told Mike Hosking doctors are playing catch up. She says doctors haven't had pay increases lower than inflation since the pandemic. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New data shows hospitals were, on average, 587 nurses short every shift last year. A Nurses Organisation Infometrics report analysed Te Whatu Ora data from 1.69 million shifts from 2022 to 2024 in 59 public hospitals. Last year saw a slight improvement on 2023, when the shortage averaged 684 nurses per shift. Former Health New Zealand Chair Rob Campbell told Mike Hosking it confirms that issues facing the health system are dire. He says nurses have had to face people telling them they're wrong about the issues, but now it's clear they aren't. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health NZ is considering whether to backtrack on a new policy to allow nearly every hospital patient to have a support person stay overnight. Morning Report has heard plenty on the issue, and Rowan Quinn caught up with some of those who've been in touch.

Relief from the nurses union over Health New Zealand's decision to review a hospital visitor hours expansion. The agency was intending to introduce a policy allowing nominated family members to support patients in hospital 24/7, outside visiting hours. It will now review this following feedback. Healthcare Assistant and Nurses Organisation delegate Al Dietschin says there are no restrictive policies around family support currently. "While it's good to have family support, we shouldn't be doing it at the expense of a shortage of HCAs." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Trish Sherson from Sherson Willis PR and Child Fund CEO Josie Pagani joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! What do we make of Health NZ's new proposed 24/7 visitor policy? No one seems to be a fan of it - is it a terrible idea? The All Blacks got thoroughly trounced over the weekend and suffered a historic defeat to the Springboks in Wellington. Are some new changes needed? Does the team need a new captain - or new coach? The Government has launched an inquiry into Eden Park - and whether current rules are holding the venue back from reaching its full potential. Do we think this is the way to go? Can we do anything about the e-scooters? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Monday, 15 September 2025, Health NZ is backtracking its 24/7 visitor policy after a huge backlash. Al Dietschin from the nurses union is welcoming the review. Looks like Eden Park could start to host even more events in the future. The Government has launched a review into the current consenting rules. Anglican Vicar Mel McKenzie explains why she has chained herself to Nicola Willis' electorate office. Plus, the Huddle debates whether coach or captain should be blamed for the All Blacks' miserable loss. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health officials have outlined the dire state of Wellington Hospital's overcrowded emergency department as reports show a third of patients are being treated in corridors. The information was revealed in a detailed business case for the refurbishment of the ED, published by Health New Zealand, which said the ED was 'clinically and culturally unsafe'. Health NZ's Jamie Duncan says the staff working in those areas are required to stay vigilant and keep an eye on people. "They're always taking observations as well and that's standard practice and standard care that you'd expect in any emergency department." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The senior doctors' union says the Health Minister's proposal of arbitration, would've taken away their members right to decide. Simeon Brown wanted Health NZ and the union to let a third party decide the terms of the contract. The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists rejected this and called his proposal a breach of employment law. Executive Director Sarah Dalton told Heather du Plessis Allan that there were a lot of unknowns around the proposal. She says the minister signalled they didn't see the pot of money as being any different and that's a situation they didn't want to enter into. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Health Minister has written to Health New Zealand and the senior doctors' union calling on them to urgently enter binding arbitration. Health Minister Simeon Brown spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The Health Minister wants the senior doctors' union to put patients first and enter binding arbitration. Simeon Brown has given Health NZ and the union until 4pm today to respond to his urgent request to let a third party decide the terms of the contract. Health NZ's agreed to participate in an effort to resolve 12 months of collective agreement negotiations. Brown told Mike Hosking he's doing what he can to find a way forward. He's trying to persuade both parties to come to the table and agree to the process, which is in the best interest of patients. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Tired, sick and absolutely devastated by a system that is not allowing us to do our jobs." That from one of the 36,000 nurses on strike today - as the lengthy negotiations between Health NZ and the Nurses Organisation stall once again. Nurses picketed outside Minister of Health Simeon Brown's Auckland office, and at the Wellington Hospital. Health NZ says the strike has disrupted more than 13,000 surgeries and appointments. Felix Walton has more.

Thirty-six-thousand nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants have walked off the job on Tuesday morning, as they strike for better staffing levels. Health NZ chief clinical officer Dr Richard Sullivan spoke to Corin Dann.

A leaked document reveals Health NZ is planning to employ more graduate nurses on part-time hours and cut the amount of on-the-job training they receive. Ruth Hill reports.

Health New Zealand will not say how much it's paying private hospitals to carry out elective surgeries under a new national contract. Investigative reporter Anusha Bradley spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Auckland emergency department nurses say this winter is the busiest they've seen. Health NZ Northern acting deputy chief executive Dr Vanessa Thornton spoke to Corin Dann.

Questions to Ministers Hon CARMEL SEPULONI to the Minister for Pacific Peoples: Does he stand by his statement, "We absolutely have endeavours to get Pasifika people into employment"; if so, why? TEANAU TUIONO to the Minister of Foreign Affairs: Does he agree with the Prime Minister that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has "lost the plot"; if so, why? CATHERINE WEDD to the Minister of Finance: What reports has she seen on COVID-19 and the economy? Hon KIERAN McANULTY to the Minister of Housing: How many social houses funded in the 2024 and 2025 Budgets have been built? SCOTT WILLIS to the Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology: How many jobs, if any, have been lost in the science sector since the formation of this Government? SAM UFFINDELL to the Minister of Health: What recent announcements has he made about health infrastructure? CAMILLA BELICH to the Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety: Will she formally consider the report to be published by the People's Select Committee on Pay Equity next January; if not, why not? Dr HAMISH CAMPBELL to the Minister for Mental Health: What recent announcements has he made in relation to a promotion campaign for better mental wellbeing for New Zealanders? ARENA WILLIAMS to the Acting Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (Grocery Sector): Does she agree with Nicola Willis, who said in 2023 that "National will take action to get food prices under control once more"; if so, why are food prices still going up under her watch? Dr DAVID WILSON to the Minister for Resources: What recent reports has he seen on the New Zealand resources sector? TIM VAN DE MOLEN to the Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing: What is the Government doing to support small businesses? LEMAUGA LYDIA SOSENE to the Minister of Internal Affairs: Does she stand by her statement that online casino-type gaming providers should not have to make community returns because that would create "a perverse incentive to increase gambling activity in order to increase revenue for these organisations"; if not, why not? Question to Member INGRID LEARY to the Chairperson of the Health Committee: Were any items of business relating to Health NZ removed from the Health Committee agenda this week after the agenda was originally distributed and before the meeting took place; if so, what were they?

Intravenous drug users are demanding a say in the future of the South Island's needle exchange services, warning health leaders are gambling with their lives. In seven weeks, needle exchange programme DISC Trust will hand over its long-standing contract, which provides sterile drug injecting equipment at six sites around the South Island. Health NZ's chosen new provider still hasn't revealed how or where it plans to run the service. Katie Todd reports.

Thousands of nurses have swapped scrubs for the picket line today as they walked off the job for 24 hours. 36,000 nurses, healthcare assistants and Kaimahi Hauora are on strike until 9am tomorrow. The walk out follows stalled pay talks and concerns about safe staffing levels. Health NZ chief executive Dr Dale Bramley spoke to Lisa Owen.

36,000 nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants are on strike for 24 hours over what they say is Health NZ's refusal to staff hospitals at safe levels. One emergency department nurse described the conditions as the worst she's seen in 30 years. Health Minister Simeon Brown insists the pay offer on the table is fair and accuses the union of hurting thousands of patients with its hard-line tactics. Ruth Hill reports.

Thirty-six thousand nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants across the country are walking off the job on Wednesday for 24 hours. Health New Zealand acting chief clinical officer Dame Helen Stokes-Lampard spoke to Corin Dann.

Nearly 4,500 patients are having procedures or specialist appointments postponed due to the nationwide strike by nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants, which kicks off at 9am on Wednesday morning according to Health NZ. Ruth Hill reports.

Thirty-six thousand workers from the New Zealand Nurses Organisation are walking off the job on Wednesday, after talks with Health NZ broke down this week. RNZ health correspondent Ruth Hill spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

If you don't want to face the unpalatable truth about your boozing, the alcohol lobby is on your sideOutdated alcohol guidelines put New Zealand out of step with modern research, but our health authorities are in no hurry to update themIn Canada, proposed guidelines for low-risk drinking set the weekly limit at two drinks.Here in New Zealand, the recommendation is to cap alcohol at 10 drinks weekly for women, and 15 for men, with two alcohol-free days per week.Despite these guidelines being nearly 15 years old, and documents from Health NZ showing that they consider a review of the guidelines to be 'necessary', for now, the guidelines are staying as they are."The complication is that the Ministry of Health has come in over the top of [Health NZ] and has said 'actually these are our guidelines ... we want to control this and we're putting a pause on that work'," says RNZ's Guyon Espiner."It certainly does show that they're listening to the alcohol industry, who are pretty exercised about this - because as you can imagine, this could have a significant effect on sales if people did take this advice and did drink significantly less."In a series of articles over the past few months, Espiner has reported on issues of alcohol harm and how the alcohol lobby has impacted policy in New Zealand…Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Changes to a decades-long needle exchange contract have left people worried the decision will breed distrust, potentially leading to needle-sharing. Health NZ has not renewed the contract for DISC Trust, which has operated needle exchange services across the South Island for 35 years. Health chiefs have instead opted for a new provider. Katie Todd reports.

An Auckland mental health facility catering for people with long-standing or chronic problems will shut down. Health NZ has been consulting on its proposal to close Rauaroha Segar House, and this afternoon told patients and staff the service will close its doors. Reporter Jimmy Ellingham spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

More than 36,000 Te Whatu Ora nurses, midwives, health care assistants and kaimahi hauora have voted to strike for 24 hours. The Nurses Organisation says the strike is due to Health NZ's failure to address safe staffing concerns. Health NZ is offering a 3 percent pay rise over two years, plus two payments of $325. But the union said the agency was refusing to provide safe staffing levels in its latest contract offer. NZNO Chief Executive Paul Goulter talks to Paddy Gower about what it would take to resolve their concerns.