About us Mō mātou

About the Ministry of Health and the New Zealand health system. 

Regulation & legislation Ngā here me ngā ture

Health providers and products we regulate, and laws we administer.

Strategies & initiatives He rautaki, he tūmahi hou

How we’re working to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders.

Māori health Hauora Māori

Increasing access to health services, achieving equity and improving outcomes for Māori.

Statistics & research He tatauranga, he rangahau

Data and insights from our health surveys, research and monitoring.

In this section Kei tēnei wāhanga

  • Legislation we administer

    Laws the Ministry of Health administers, and legislation that defines our statutory roles and obligations.

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  • Abortion

    Information about abortion legislation and what the legislation means for health practitioners.

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  • Assisted dying

    About assisted dying legislation in New Zealand, the Ministry of Health’s role regulating assisted dying services, and how to give feedback or make a complaint.

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  • Burial and cremation

    About the Ministry of Health's review of the Burial and Cremation Act 1964 and related legislation.

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  • Certification of health care services

    Certifying health care services ensures service providers, auditing agencies, and health districts provide safe and reasonable service levels.

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  • Disability

    About the Ministry of Health's statutory and regulatory role in relation to disability.

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  • Drug checking

    Information about drug checking services and service providers.

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  • Environmental health officers

    About the Environmental Health Officers Qualifications Regulations 1993, and being appointed as an Environmental Health Officer.

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  • Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act

    About the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 20023, professions regulated under it, restricted activities, quality assurance, and how to register a new profession.

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  • High-power laser pointers

    Information about controls managing the health and safety risks from high-power laser pointers.

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  • Human Tissue Act

    The Human Tissue Act regulates how human tissue is collected and used. This section provides guidance on the consent process, the Standard for non-therapeutic use, and use for research purposes.

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  • Ionising radiation safety

    The Ministry of Health administers the Radiation Safety Act 2016 and the Radiation Safety Regulations 2016. 

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  • Industrial hemp

    Information about regulations applying to the use of industrial hemp for industry and as a food.

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  • Medical examination of children

    Guidelines for the medical examination of children under section 125 of the Health Act 1956, and information for health care workers.

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  • Medicinal cannabis

    The Medicinal Cannabis Agency administers the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme and ensures medicinal cannabis products meet the minimum quality standard.

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  • Medicines Act

    The Medicines Act 1981 regulates medicines, related products and medical devices in New Zealand. The Act ensures that the medicines and products used in New Zealand are safe and effective.

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  • Medicines control

    Medicines Control (within Medsafe) oversees local medicine distribution, administration of pharmacy licensing and drug abuse containment activities.

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  • Mental health and addiction

    About the Mental Health Act and other legislation relating to mental health and addictions.

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  • Notifiable diseases

    A list of the diseases that are notifiable to the Medical Officer of Health.

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  • Psychoactive substances

    Psychoactive substances are regulated in New Zealand by the Psychoactive Substances Act 2013.

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  • Regulating medicines, medical devices and natural health products

    Information about proposals in development for the modern, risk-proportionate regulation of medicines, medical devices, and natural health products.

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  • Smoked tobacco

    About the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Act 1990 and regulation of smoked tobacco products in New Zealand.

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  • Sterilisation services

    Information about current sterilisation legislation reporting requirements and support for sterilisation providers in New Zealand.

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  • Vaping, herbal smoking and smokeless tobacco

    The Ministry of Health regulates vaping, herbal smoking and smokeless tobacco products, ensuring retailers, importers, manufacturers and distributors comply.

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