Health
'Relationship she might not have had': Hayley's AI partner changed her life
Hayley's AI companion is credited with changing her life, but for others they can be used for sex or even convey sinister overtones.
Winter illness forces schools to close across country
Schools are having trouble finding reliever teachers, forcing them to close entirely. Audio
Morning Report Essentials for Thursday 21st August
In today's episode, a tourism leader is warning New Zealand's being left behind by Australia and is calling on the government to ramp up efforts to bring big events here; New Zealand is facing one of… Audio
Girls drop out of sport at twice the rate of boys by age 14: Study
A new study has found that by age 14 girls are dropping out of sport at twice the rate of boys. Sports psychologist Dom Vettise spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio
'Playing with people's lives': The hospital with no overnight doctors
Dargaville Hospital overnight patients are being asked to sign a consent form to confirm they understand there is no doctor on site due to staff shortages. Audio
One in three adults suffer untreated tooth decay - Dental Association
The association wants more water fluoridation, a levy on sugary drinks, and publicly-funded dental care.
Dargaville Hospital patients sign disclaimer as no doctor on site overnight
Patients admitted to Dargaville Hospital overnight are asked to sign a disclaimer confirming they understand there is no doctor on site because of staff shortages. Ruth Hill reports. Audio
Dental Association launches roadmap to better oral health for NZers
New Zealand's oral health is in trouble, with one in three adults suffering from untreated tooth decay. Dental Association president Amanda Johnston spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio
Is our cervical cancer vaccine rate at risk from Covid scepticism?
Emile Donovan speaks to Professor Bev Lawton ONZM, the founder and director of the National Centre for Women's Health Research Aotearoa, and the 2025 New Zealander of the Year. Audio
Food insecurity: Advocates push for South Auckland community gardens
Community gardens could help bridge the gap for families struggling, one local board chair says.
Stories from Our Changing World: Long term health
Claire Concannon has been investigating New Zealand's youth vaping rates, and what the long-term health impacts might be on our rangitahi. She heads to the Auckland Bioengineering Institute to learn… Audio
Lobbyists pushed policy makers to not raise alcohol tax
Documents the Health Ministry tried to keep secret show alcohol lobbyists pushed policy makers to not raise tax on alcohol, restrict its availability or replace industry sponsorship of sport. Guyon… Audio
Mental health charity targets reluctant gun owners
It's run by a man who gave up farming after losing his licence when he sought help for his own mental health.
What should I eat (and avoid) while breastfeeding?
If you're feeling extra hungry while breastfeeding, there's a good reason for it.
Dunedin cafe looks for home gardeners to supply produce
A Dunedin cafe is looking for keen home gardeners to supply it produce, in a trial backyard to plate project. To begin with Taste Nature hopes to contract four gardeners for 12 months, but would like… Audio
Public health expert calls for mandatory health star ratings
A public health expert is calling for the health star ratings on packaged food to be compulsory, but said it needs to be a more rigorous scheme. It's a voluntary system and the most recent figures… Audio
Feature interview: Why is Gen Z having less sex?
While that might not sound bad, the reason why and the fallout can be. One in four adult Gen Zers hasn't had sex, and Carter Sherman says the loss of intimacy is fueling loneliness, anxiety, and porn… Audio
Pasifika, Māori dying a decade earlier from heart disease, new report finds
University of Auckland professor Sir Collin Tukuitonga says the problem will only get worse amid a shortage in targeted resourcing.
The Auckland Uni student's plans to help dementia research
People over sixty are wanted to hang out with a tiny robot called iRobi. University of Auckland Master of Robotics and Automation Engineering student Zahra Ally is developing a new game, and she needs… Audio
Wellington Hospital birthing suite short-staffed 70% of time
But Health NZ says 'there's definitely light at the end of the tunnel' and next year should be different.
