Health
Foul stench from sewage, meatworks can make people sick, agency says
The public health research agency says regulators are not doing enough about environmental odour pollution.
Thames Hospital nurses picket over understaffing, workload
Nurses say they continue to face under resourcing within the wards, ED and among the district nursing team. Audio
Which lab tested your sunscreen?
Consumer New Zealand say price is no indication of the effectiveness of sunscreens. Audio
Multiple sunscreen brands slapped with a recall in Australia
Almost two dozen sunscreens in Australia have been recalled, paused or are under review because of concerns over their SPF ratings. Some of them are available in New Zealand or can be bought online… Audio
Feature interview: Why you don't have to live with chronic pain
Chronic pain is one of medicine's oldest puzzles and most stubborn problems. About one in five people worldwide live with it, and don't really know why. Dr. Sanjay Gupta says it doesn't have to be… Audio
More mental health patients accessing timely care
But Minister Matt Doocey acknowledges there are discrepancies across regions and more work needs to be done.
Could NZ get a nasal spray flu vaccine?
An immunisation expert hopes New Zealand will soon get a nasal spray flu vaccine, like the UK already has and Australia is rolling out soon. Audio
Morning Report Essentials for Wednesday 1 October 2025
In today's episode, the government has announced its plan in response to the challenges facing the energy market; The Ministry of Health's flu tracker shows the number New Zealanders reporting both… Audio
Could a nasal vaccine help ease the burden of the flu?
The Ministry of Health's flu tracker shows the number New Zealanders reporting both fever and cough symptoms is currently higher than at the same time in the last four years. So could a nasal spray… Audio
Quarterly data for govt's mental health targets released
The latest quarterly data for the government's mental health targets is out on Wednesday, showing improvements in patients accessing timely primary or specialist mental health and addiction services… Audio
How the cost of living hits for New Zealanders with blindness
It's Blind Low Vision month - First Up talks with music teacher Josaiah Fue about the cost of living and Dan Shepard how the Blind Low VIsion NZ is raising awareness. Audio
Two new measles cases confirmed in Northland
There are also several new locations of interest, primarily in Queenstown and Cromwell, but also in Northland, following ongoing contact tracing efforts.
Cancer Society pushes for faster treatment in South Island
New figures showed 86.3 percent nationally now receive cancer treatment within a month, but wait times for some districts had gone backwards. Audio
'They created mistrust': Concern for children unvaccinated against measles
A mobile health clinic has been set up at Waitangi's Te Tii Marae after four cases of measles in Northland.
Cancer Society responds to treatment waitimes around the motu
When it comes to cancer more patients are starting treatment within the government's 31 day target time according to new figures. Nationally 86.3 per cent of patients started treatment within that… Audio
New figures reveal government's progress towards health targets
The Health Minister is celebrating shorter wait-times, faster treatment and more timely access to care for patients. New figures from April to June this year, show the government's progress towards… Audio
Northland child immunisation rates on the slide
The region at the heart of a current measles outbreak has seen the biggest slide in child vaccination rates in in the country. The number of Northland children fully immunised at 24 months of age has… Audio
Govt changes 'confusing' way NZ buys medical equipment
The government is touting it as an end to more than a decade of confusion.
Midday Report Essentials for Tuesday 30th September 2025
In today's episode, ten kiwi chicks being monitored in Makara, near Wellington, have grown to be big enough to fight off predators, an emergency consultant says targets for ED wait times help the… Audio
Measles outbreak: Kerikeri High School play 'location of interest'
Health authorities are urging anyone who went to a production at Kerikeri High School earlier this month to stay home to prevent the spread of measles.
