Podcasts about health nz

A former chair of Health New Zealand says a fix to issues within health data systems has likely been put off, after a possible hack of MediMap. The platform's widely used across the country, especially in aged care, disability, hospice, and community health. Rob Campbell told Ryan Bridge there's a lot of issues within data systems that need fixing. He says it's expensive, can be complex and isn't headline grabbing, so it's the sort of thing people put off. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health NZ has handed out 7000 vapes and over 6500 refills for free in two months. This is part of an intitaive to help smokers quit - and includes a $500k contract to NZ vape company Alt. Newstalk ZB political reporter Ethan Griffiths tells Nick what the decision was behind this initiative, what opposers are saying and how this plan compares worldwide. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hospitals and public health services across the country are now looking for more than half-a-billion dollars in "efficiencies" they've been told to find, to re-invest in patient care. But from where?

Elana Cohen is an occupational therapist who has two decades experience working with children of all ages and abilities - and their families. She's Nelson based - working for Health NZ's Child Development Service, as well as in private practice. Elana says parents and caregivers need lots of support to help neurodivergent children flourish.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Latest on information for patients, ransom and possible release of details on darkweb, government action - Health NZ, police, GCSB.

A retired Waikato couple who worked for Hamilton's hospital for over six decades between them are facing a lengthy wait for tens of thousands of dollars of holiday pay. Errors in calculating holiday pay date back over 15 years and will cost Health NZ about $1.8 billion in payouts. Most current employees have been repaid, but Health NZ has only recently started paying former staff, and many won't see a cent for another year. It says the process is a complex, requiring constant checks and accessing different payroll systems. Jimmy Ellingham reports.

Frustrated health workers are questioning why hospitals and health services are being asked to find another five hundred million dollars in "efficiency savings" out of this year's budget, while half a billion dollars earmarked for salaries went unspent last year. The "underspend" was due to unfilled vacancies, unpaid Holidays Act remediation - and the fact Health NZ has yet to settle its collective contract disputes with senior doctors and nurses. Ruth Hill reports.

Nick Mills is joined in studio by National Otaki MP Tim Costley and Labour MP and spokesperson for Health and Wellington Issues Ayesha Verrall. We get into the Christmas spirit with our guests, what's their plans for their Christmas break and highlight from the year. As well as getting into the political issues from the week like the latest GDP announcement, surplus announcement, Health NZ efficiency targets, M-CERT merger plus the Avatar premiere and James Cameron's concerns about the future of the series. Is Wellington at risk of losing Weta? What will the government do to help? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Health NZ management is accusing nurses of failing to honour their commitment to provide so-called "life preserving services" during a partial strike. Ruth Hill reports.

Red tape continues to tie up New Zealand's agriculture and horticultural sectors. Animal and Plant Health NZ's annual survey finds nearly half its members feel regulatory performance has worsened, despite recommendations put forward by the Ministry for Regulation earlier this year. Chief executive Liz Shackleton told Mike Hosking despite reassurance from regulators, the day-to-day process is not getting easier. She says farmers and growers face a raft of challenges and don't have the right tools for the job. She says it's a real handbrake on economic growth, and we're missing out on better environmental outcomes. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following the death of a two-year old baby in Manawatū earlier this year Midland Community Pharmacy Group chief executive Pete Chandler co-ordinated an audit. The audit found 1,200 prescription mistakes in one week- 26% of the mistakes posing 'high risk of harm' to patients. Chandler told Heather du Plessis-Allan that the days of doctors' handwriting causing issues are over, but electronic systems have introduced a whole new range of problems. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police attended 7,370 fewer mental health-related requests in the year to June - the result of a plan to wind back on responding to calls for help. 

Health New Zealand has stepped up precautions after two confirmed separate outbreaks of antibiotic-resistant super bugs at Christchurch Hospital. It says there are fewer than 10 patients with the infection known as VRE but many are asymptomatic carriers. The bacteria is difficult to treat due to its resistance and in some case can be potentially life threatening. Associate Professor Mark Thomas, an infectious diseases researcher at the University of Auckland, spoke to Lisa Owen.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.