News Ngā karere

A vape retailer in New Plymouth, Coronation Vape, has been fined $22,000 for repeatedly failing to abide by the law and ignore infringement notices served.

Director-General of Health, Dr Diana Sarfati has announced she will be stepping down from her role.

The report presents data about the use of compulsory assessment and treatment in Aotearoa New Zealand under the Mental Health Act 1992, the Intellectual Disability Act 2003, and the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. 

New Zealand’s first Public Health Surveillance Strategy will strengthen how we gather and coordinate public health information to better protect New Zealanders against threats to their health and wellbeing.

The Government has made changes to the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990 to better protect children and young people by reducing their access to vaping products. 

Today, consultation opened on a proposal by Pharmac and the Ministry of Health (Medsafe) to improve access to stimulant medicines used in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The report provides a snapshot of abortion services for the 2023 calendar year.

The Ministry of Health is today marking the 20th anniversary of the ground-breaking Smoke-free Environments Amendment Act 2003 coming into force. 

The Director-General of Health has reconfirmed the directions issued to 14 local authorities to fluoridate one or more of their water supplies. This followed the completion of a court-ordered Bill of Rights Act assessment.

Health agencies have confirmed today that Aotearoa New Zealand is now in the early stages of a whooping cough epidemic, with a nationally coordinated response now in place. 

The Ministry of Health is today releasing an evidence brief and position statement on the use of puberty blockers for gender identity issues and outlining a more cautious approach to their use.

The Ministry has published results from the 2023/24 New Zealand Health Survey today.

The Ministry is encouraging people to take steps to help ensure important medicines, such as antibiotics, can remain effective for treating infections.

The COVID-19 Public Health Response Act 2020 will self-repeal on 26 November, marking the end to the potential use of COVID-19 specific legal tools to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today the Director-General of Health, Dr Diana Sarfati, alongside the Government, and other Chief Executives will apologise for the abuse suffered in state care between 1950-1999.