Health
Plea for Pharmac funding of weight loss drugs
Medications like Wegovey cost hundreds of dollars a month which is a significant barrier for many patients, a doctor says. Audio
Staff taking more sick leave, costing the economy billions
A study showed workers spent an average 6.7 days a year off sick - a more than 20 percent jump on 5.5 days off in 2022. Audio
Vaping seems to have led to more adolescents smoking - study
The new study does not support claims that vaping reduces harms for Māori and Pacific youth. Audio
Otago survey finds healthcare failing long covid patients
Long Covid patients report being gaslit about their illness, and feel increasingly let down by the health system. Audio
Kiwis taking more sick leave - costing economy billions
A new report shows New Zealanders are taking more sick leave - and that it cost the economy more than $4 billion last year. Business New Zealand chief executive Katherine Rich spoke to Corin Dann. Audio
More than 18,000 Kiwis prescribed Wegovy in first 3 months
Just over 18,000 New Zealanders have been prescribed the weight-loss drug Wegovy in the past three months, according to provisional data from Health New Zealand. Weight loss specialist, Doctor Gerard… Audio
Whooping cough epidemic a major threat to young babies
The ongoing whooping cough epidemic remains a major threat to the youngest babies, with more than 3200 in the last year. Ruth Hill reports. Audio
Tongan rugby league star stable following concussion
The rugby league world is in a state of shock as to how and why Tongan player 'Eliesa Katoa was allowed to play against the Kiwis at Eden Park last Sunday, after he had suffered a serious head knock… Audio
Neurodivergent youth more likely to die young - study
While death among young people is rare, those with a neurodevelopmental condition are nearly five times more likely to die before the age of 25.
Wellington Girls' College allows most students to return to school after measles cases
Most Wellington Girls' College students will be back in class on Thursday after three confirmed cases of measles at the school.
New dialysis unit to save patients hours of travel
For the last three years, kidney patient Denis Gapper has made the tiring journey from Blenheim to Nelson three times a week for life-saving dialysis. Audio
Manukau clinic seeing more people for measles vaccinations
In more than a day, vaccinators at a pop-up at Manukau SuperClinic in Auckland had spoken to roughly 80 people about measles as part of nationwide Measles Immunisation Week campaign.
Mental health professionals welcome $61m boost
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced a funding boost of more than $60 million over the next four years. Audio
Wellington's Depression Recovery Centre almost certain to close
Wellington's Depression Recovery Centre is now almost certain to close after it received news this afternoon that Health NZ won't save it. ACC recently stopped funding clients to use Whakamatutu's… Audio
Mental health advocates welcome funding but raise concerns
Mental health advocates are welcoming a funding boost for crisis care but are concerned there's no national plan and decisions are being made based on decades old data. The government has detailed a… Audio
Vaccination efforts ramp up as measles outbreak concerns experts
Vaccination efforts are ramping up as part of a nationwide Measles Immunisation Week campaign amid an outbreak that's got experts concerned. There are now 17 known cases of the highly-infectious… Audio
New Blenheim dialysis unit to save patients hours long trip
The opening of a new dialysis unit in Blenheim will save patients with kidney failure a four-hour return trip to Nelson for treatment. The four-chair unit, called Tātari Toto, will initially open for… Audio
Over $60m of funding announced for mental health services
More than $60 million of funding has been announced for mental health services across the country, to bolster what's been called a fragmented and inconsistent system. Mental Health Minister Matt… Audio
Midday Report Essentials for Wednesday 5 November 2025
Unemployment edged up to a near nine-year high as businesses halted hiring, but slack in the jobs market increased, and wage growth slowed further; New research shows vaping is the likely reason for… Audio
Are you taking the correct dosage of paracetamol?
If you're just about to pop a Panadol tablet - you may want to pause first. New research by Auckland University shows many of us are taking too much paracetamol. It found a third of us commonly take… Audio
