Media enquiries
If you have a media enquiry for the Ministry of Health, the best way to contact us is by email.
Email: [email protected]
Alternatively, phone Ministry of Health reception to be connected to a media advisor.
Phone: (04) 496 2000
For general (public) enquiries, email: [email protected]
Useful links
Media releases
Go to our News section for the latest Ministry of Health media releases.
Reporting assisted deaths
There are legal restrictions around the information that can be made public about individual assisted deaths. Find out more at Advice for media reporting on assisted dying.
Official Information Act
The Ministry of Health makes information available under the Official Information Act 1982 on request unless there is a good reason for withholding it.
To make an OIA request, go to Official Information Act requests.
Examples of reasons for withholding information under the Act include:
- protecting the privacy of natural persons, including the deceased – Section 9(2)(a)
- the information requested is or soon will be publicly available – Section 18(d)
- the document containing the information requested does not exist or cannot be found – Section 18(e)
- the information requested is not held by the organisation – Section 18(g)
Ministry of Health responsibilities and organisation structure
For our role and responsibilities within the health system, see About us.
Statistics and health sector data
Statistics and research – New Zealand health data and statistics collected and produced by the Ministry and wider health sector.
Health targets – These indicators measure how well the health and disability system serves New Zealanders.
Strategic intentions – Useful information about how New Zealand’s health and disability sector is performing.
Many Ministry of Health publications provide data, including our Corporate publications.
Health Research Council of New Zealand – HRC is the Crown agency responsible for managing the government's investment in public-good health research.
Statistics New Zealand reports on a range of national health indicators.
Medicine alerts, recalls and status
Medsafe – Recalls and warnings on drugs available for use in New Zealand.
Medsafe's data sheets list every drug approved for use, along with information about clinical trials, risks and who the New Zealand distributor is. They are useful for establishing how much a drug is used in New Zealand.
Minister and Associate Ministers of Health
Contact details and portfolio areas for the Minister and Associate Ministers of Health.
Other organisations that provide health information
Many organisations play important roles in health. A sample is included below:
- Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora leads the day-to-day running of the health system across New Zealand, with functions delivered at local, district, regional and national levels.
- College of GPs – The national body concerned with standards and education for general practitioners and general practice.
- Medical Council of New Zealand – The body that registers all medical practitioners, sets standards and considers relevant complaints.
- Nursing Council of New Zealand sets and monitors nursing standards with a focus on public safety.
- Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand – The body that represents pharmacists. A key focus is on the role pharmacists and their teams have in medicines management.
- New Zealand Dental Association – A useful resource for developments in dentistry and oral health.
- Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring – A source of information about adverse reactions to drugs, vaccines, herbal products and dietary supplements.
- ESR – Provides a wide range of research services including toxicology, pharmaceuticals, communicable disease (eg, salmonella) and public health surveillance.
- Liggins Institute – A research institute specialising in paediatrics and child health.
- Immunisation Advisory Centre provides information about vaccines and immunisation.
- Cancer Society offers information to health professionals, students and people with cancer and their families.
Office of the Ombudsman
Any reporter receiving information or a delay in receiving information from the Ministry of Health can complain to the Ombudsman to seek an investigation and review the Ministry’s decision.
