Health
Big Question: Why can’t you lick your elbow?
Ever wondered why you can't seem to lick your elbow? Or what it means if you can? We did too, so we gathered up some special guests to help us out. Audio
Pre-Matariki chaos descends on Auckland roads
Police have made an arrest after a stand-off in Mt Roskill, but road closures continue to cause headaches.
Wait for cancer drugs could become longer for public patients
Doctors warn patients in the public health system could end up waiting longer if those with insurance are prioritised.
Psychiatrist hopes 'magic mushroom' treatment will be more widely available
Dr Cameron Lacey, the first psychiatrist granted approval to prescribe the Class A drug psilocybin, said it took energy and perseverance to get to the approval stage. Audio
Breakthrough for diagnosing Parkinson's disease
Brain scientists have made a breakthrough that could help diagnose Parkinson's disease and Multiple System Atrophy much earlier. Audio
Equine therapy: Anna Baigent's rehabilitation journey
After surviving a traumatic brain injury as a teenager, Anna Baigent and her mum Maria turned to horses as a source of healing. Audio
Morning Report Essentials for Thursday 19 June 2025
In today's episode, Foreign Minister Winston Peters speaks about plans to evacuate New Zealanders from Israel and Iran. Donald Trump is leaving open the possibility he'll step into the fighting… Audio
Call for more medical access to commonly used illicit drugs
Psychedelic drug use has more than doubled in New Zealand, a new report shows. Audio
Psychedelic use doubles in NZ
A new report from the Drug Foundation highlights that in 2023 and 2024, 3.1 percent of adults reported taking psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin and ketamine. In 2017 and 2018 only 1.3 percent of… Audio
'It's very therapeutic for the people' - first full knee replacement surgery in Far North town
A woman who has had the first full knee replacement surgery in the Far North town of Kaitaia says being able to have the operation in her own community - supported by whanau - was a "therapeutic" and…
Taxpayer to foot the bill for cancer drugs for private patients
The decision to let private patients have publicly-funded cancer drugs could make wait times worse, Labour says. Audio
Psilocybin approved for depression
The government has announced the 'magic mushroom' drug psilocybin will become available for patients with treatment-resistant depression. Psychiatrist, Cameron Lacey, spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio
Media attention, political pressure credited with solving cardiac surgery waitlist
Cardiac Society of New Zealand chairperson says the waitlist had reduced from 110 to 10 patients.
Midweek- A troubling story about a troubled trans teen 's death
RNZ challenged over a troubling tale of transgender teenager who died alone with anorexia, ZB Ryan Bridge's performs a hot-take talk radio turnaround on the economy, RNZ open up voluntary redundancy… Audio
Hospital understaffed and under resourced - senior doctor
A senior doctor has said she's kept awake at night by having to ration care at Whangarei hospital which she says is understaffed and under resourced. Others say it's frustrating, exhausting and like… Audio
Father of Dunedin student killed at house party calling for early liquor store closure
The father of Sophia Crestani, who was crushed to death at an over-crowded Otago student house party, is calling for a liquor store in the heart of Dunedin's student quarter to shut an hour earlier… Audio
How the govt plans to tackle 'stubbornly high' suicide rates
Explainer - The government announced a new five-year Suicide Prevention Action Plan this week. But what does it include? Audio
Melatonin to be sold over-the-counter; magic mushrooms to be prescribed
The change for psilocybin was a huge win for people with depression who had tried everything else, David Seymour says.
Midday Report Essentials Podcast for Wednesday 18 June 2025
The census gets a shake up and takes some pressure off the costs. The governmnet is also more than threatening to step in and over councils when it comes to housing and development - going as far as… Audio
Morning Report Essentials for Wednesday 18 June 2025
In today's episode, Health New Zealand has been directed to give private hospitals 10-year outsourcing contracts to perform elective surgeries, Wednesday marks day five of the conflict between Israel… Audio
