Health
Firefighters, health workers walk off job in more strike action
Another day, another public service strike, with 2000 firefighters and 17,000 health workers walking off the job nationwide. For both members of the Professional Firefighters Union and the PSA, it was… Audio
'Always up for a good fight': Health workers strike across the country
In Auckland, hundreds of striking workers picketed outside the central hospital, calling for increased staffing levels and better pay.
Parents still waiting to hear from retailers on asbestos sand
Riddled with anxiety, no sleep and no answers, some parents are still waiting to hear back from retailers about asbestos-contaminated children's coloured play sand. During the past two weeks there's… Audio
Tips on how to cool down
We're in for a hot weekend! Napiers on a heat alert, Christchurch and Hastings aren't far behind... Records have already been broken for hottest November day in parts of the country this week. It… Audio
Why we failed to reach our Smokefree 2025 target
In 34 days we hit the deadline - but to reach that goal we'd need 120,000 people to quit smoking pretty much immediately.
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
