Health
Principals stunned no tally kept of asbestos sand results
The Ministry of Education initially told RNZ that no count was being kept, until the minister intervened. Audio
No complete record being held of schools finding asbestos
Principals and a teachers union say they're stunned and disappointed there's no complete record of how many schools are finding asbestos from coloured sand. Kim Baker Wilson reports. Audio
'Hidden' hospital workforce shortages add to frontline pressures
Health NZ data reveals it was taking up to 30 weeks to approve recruitment for frontline vacancies at hospitals in the Wellington region.
17,000 healthworkers strike for the second time in a month
Mental health and public health nurses, allied health workers and policy staff will strike from 1pm to 5pm.
Smokefree choking
We've failed to reach our smokefree obligations, but has New Zealand done well enough to relax efforts? Audio
Labour calls for retailers who sold asbestos sand to be held to account
Retailers who have sold children's coloured play sand potentially laced with asbestos need to be held to account, according to Labour's consumer Affairs spokesperson. The contamination scare has… Audio
'Too centralised': Minister demands Health NZ decision-making revamp
Simeon Brown insists too many decisions are being made too far away from the frontline.
Hospitals waiting up to six months for Health NZ approval to fill jobs
Data obtained under the Official Information Act shows 219 recruitment requests took more than two months to be approved, 91 waited more than 20 weeks, and 45 roles applied for in March were still…
Your risk of catching Covid-19 is at its lowest since 2020 – here’s why you should still get boosted for Christmas
After nearly four years of continuous Omicron circulation - should you get a Covid booster?
Nurses sick of being used as 'chess pieces' by Health NZ - union
Nurses nationwide are refusing to work extra shifts or fill roster gaps, forcing hospital managers to cancel planned care and reduce ward beds. Audio
Nurses refuse to work extra shifts during work-to-rule strikes
Nurses across the county are refusing to work extra shifts or fill roster gaps, forcing hospital managers to cancel planned care and reduce ward beds where possible. Ruth Hill reports. Audio
Mental health data won't be misused by AI navigation tool - minister
A new AI tool will be a "real game changer in providing faster and real time access to support", says the mental health minister. Audio
Why creativity is an important as health and exercise
We know the usual pillars of health; sleep, exercise, watch your diet and maintain social connections. Dr Daisy Fancourt says her research shows we need to add a fifth pillar, creativity. She's a… Audio
Being a fussy eater might not be as straightforward as it seems
A large study into avoidant and restrictive eating (which is an extreme form of picky eating) in children shows the issue is much more common than we thought. About 6% of children have ongoing… Audio
Hayfever season: What are the triggers, traits and treatments?
If you're part of the 20 percent of Kiwis who suffer from hay fever - there's probably no need to tell you we're into peak season right now. Audio
Plan to overhaul Otago and Queenstown healthcare announced
It wants to shift more services out of Dunedin and Invercargill hospitals and into Queenstown, Wānaka, and Cromwell. Audio
Publicly funded diabetes monitors prevent serious complications
New data shows publicly funded diabetes monitors are set to prevent thousands of serious complications for people with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes New Zealand Chief Executive Heather Verry spoke to… Audio
Community clinics could cut Otago travel by 40,000 trips
Health New Zealand says shifting appointments out of hospitals and into communities could spare Otago residents about 40-thousand road trips a year. It's unveiled some ideas for overhauling health… Audio
Measles close contact quarantined in Cook Islands
The Ministry of Health says the traveller, who is a close contact of a New Zealand measles case, arrived in the country on 22 November.
What can we learn from Australia's cigarette black market to avoid the same fate?
International consultant Rohan Pike is a former Australian Federal Police officer and Customs and Border Force expert. He joins Emile Donovan. Audio
