Health
Bird flu: what is it, and why has it been found in US dairy cows?
There are few places in the world the high pathogenicity bird flu has not yet reached, and scientists say the world is in an animal pandemic.
Private hospital opens in Auckland, others expand as public surgical centre sits empty
Demand for private care will keep growing in the face of public waiting lists, an expert says.
The brand new hospital that has no budget to operate
The lights are on, the beds are ready, but no patients have stepped inside a brand new $320 million surgical hospital built on Auckland's North Shore. Audio
Fears sick people will 'soldier on' at work with pseudoephedrine
Michael Baker said pseudoephedrine masks Covid-19 symptoms, meaning people could go back to work or school when they are still unwell and contagious. Video
Dr Stephen Best: Restoring sight for all
Ophthalmologist Stephen Best can work modern-day miracles. For the past 25 years, the glaucoma specialist has removed cataracts, prevented blindness, and restored sight to hundreds, if not thousands… Audio
Defence's hazardous substances audit underway after years of stalling
The Ministry of Defence has begun auditing its handling of hazardous materials such as rocket fuel and tonnes of old ammunition.
Boris Heifets: Hope as a powerful placebo
Ketamine - an anaesthetic drug primarily developed as a horse tranquiliser - is also known to be a powerful psychedelic. Audio
Charity event in Auckland raise funds for autistic children
Charity event in South Auckland raise funds for autistic children. Audio
Health NZ chairperson resigns after less than a year in position
Dame Karen Poutasi has resigned after just over nine months in the job.
School attendance stats held back by sickness
Just over half of students regularly attended school in term four last year, up on the same term in 2022.
Auckland dentist continued practising despite suspension, clients claim
Authorities are continuing to investigate Dr Jacob Goldenberg of Total Health Dentistry after receiving dozens of complaints against him.
Pharmac inks deal for new cancer, HIV and COPD drugs
About 30,000 New Zealanders with ovarian cancer, lung disease, HIV and other conditions will get access to new medicines.
Hugging your way into feeling better and fighting depression
A hug can boost your health, even if you're hugging a robot. That's according to Dutch and German researchers. Jacqui Maguire is a clinical psychologist and a big fan of hugging. She talks to Jesse. Audio
Pseudoephedrine to be on shelves in time for winter
Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines, and pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. Associate Health Minister David Seymour spoke to… Audio
Pseudoephedrine could be back on the shelves by winter
Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing the medicine.
People turning up drunk at EDs increasingly older - study
The proportion of young people turning up drunk in emergency departments dropped from one in three in 2013 to under one in five in 2022. Audio
One in ten hospital admissions alcohol related: Study
A new study shows a spike in people aged 25 to 54 needing hospital level care for alcohol issues, rising by a third over a decade. Morning Report producer Tessa Guest reports. Audio
Ministry of Health 'taking the time to get it right' on puberty blockers
The hormone drugs are under increasing scrutiny internationally, with Britain's National Health Service last month banning their routine use outside of clinical trials.
Equitable access to childhood immunisations must be ensured
As we look towards the peak season for respiratory viruses, the announcement of new RSV immunisation programmes for children in a number of Australian states is welcome news, researchers say.
Is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy effective?
There are many different approaches used by therapists, but Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is one of the the most studied fields. Gini McIntosh is a Clinical Psychologist, she speaks to Jesse. Audio