Isaac Davison is a health reporter for the New Zealand Herald and has a special interest in inequality, public housing, alcohol and drug reform, and euthanasia.
Isaac Davison started at the Herald in 2008 on the night shift, before moving to Tauranga to report on the Bay of Plenty. He was later the science and environment reporter, a role in which he covered the Rena oil spill disaster and the Christchurch earthquakes. He spent six years at the Parliamentary Press Gallery in Wellington, where he closely covered two general elections in 2014 and 2017. In that time, Isaac also covered the legalisation of same-sex marriage in New Zealand and reported from trips abroad to Antarctica, Japan, Indonesia, Australia and the Marshall Islands. In 2020, he was awarded runner-up for Feature Writer of the Year (Social Issues) for his reporting on historic sexual abuse at Dilworth School. Before journalism, Isaac studied English and History at the University of Auckland and wrote his Masters thesis on the great New Zealand poet Allen Curnow. You can contact Isaac at isaac.davison@nzme.co.nz.
Drug dispute: Killer jailed for a kick the victim never saw coming
Judge halted killer's apology - saying there was no point as no one wanted to hear it.
Blockhouse Bay homicide victim was 'gentle' scientist on daily walk to look for insects
The victim, aged in his early 50s, would have never hurt a fly, a colleague said.
Blockhouse Bay homicide: Victim was a ‘beautiful soul’, tennis club says
'The court was busy - it’s a vibrant, busy place on a Saturday,' a neighbour said.
Health NZ can’t cut $1.4b without eating into front line, analysis shows
Researchers say underfunding - not just mismanagement - is to blame for Health NZ's woes.
Halt on surgical mesh operations set to last until at least mid-2025
Conditions for lifting the pause on mesh surgeries have not yet been met: Health Ministry.
Severe mental health patients reportedly waiting 72hrs for care in South Auckland
'The situation is quite dire,' said a union rep about the shortages.
'I’m on my way out': Suffering patients say right-to-die law still doesn't help them
The family of a woman who was declined for assisted dying say the law is 'ridiculous'.
Starship Hospital leaders say Treaty repeal law will make their job harder
The 7AA repeal would have direct impact on the hospital floor, Starship directors say.
Health NZ backtracks on early free access to 'miracle' cancer drug
Early access to the drug could make a significant difference in some patients' survival.
Former Health NZ board members hit back at PM's attack on their credibility
Members said they were "all over" Health NZ's financial problems - contrary to Govt claims
Health NZ apologises after nursing graduates have job offers retracted
Nursing grads said they were 'heartbroken' after offers of work turned out to be false.
Auckland cancer patient pays $45k just to have medication administered
Allowing unfunded drugs to be taken in public hospitals not on the agenda, Govt confirmed.
Greens begin process to remove Darleen Tana; meeting to address 'waka-jumping' rule
Greens co-leader Chloe Swarbrick held a press conference in Christchurch this morning.
'Incredibly emotional': Victim welcomes Abuse in Care report 40yrs after trauma
'There are very senior people who need to hang their heads in shame for their conduct.'
'Having to wait too long': New commissioner tackles health waiting times
The health minister is blaming the Labour government for a $130m monthly overspend.
Mt Wellington shooting victim was patched Rebels MC member
His dad joined the gang to protect his kids. Now his son has been shot dead in a car.
Man found dead in car in central Auckland suburb; homicide investigation launched
The man was found dead outside a business on Penrose Rd.
Top health officials expressed outrage, considered quitting over Government's smokefree repeal
A health official said Government changes would be 'difficult to explain... to the kids'.
Bowel cancer: Two million kits distributed under screening programme, 2500 cancers detected
The milestone comes as the Government plans to lower the screening age.
ADHD: Rising wait times of up to a year for adult assessments
A Herald survey found wait times of 6-12 months, and many doctors with closed books.
'Tsunami of threats': Auckland uni ordered to pay Wiles $20k
The Employment Court has issued its judgment in Siouxsie Wiles' case against her employer.
'New screen-time limits needed' in schools - excessive use of devices linked to poor health
The risks existed whether a child was doing homework or watching TikTok.
New surgical building opens in Auckland tomorrow after delays caused by staff shortages
The $300m building will have capacity for 15,000 operations a year once fully open.
Hiring freeze: Doctor jobs unfilled as Health NZ cost-cutting bites
Doctors had job applications paused at the reference-checking stage, or delayed for weeks.
Women forced to shop around for hormone patches, some missing out altogether
One pharmacy had a waiting list of 80 patients, who were only able to get a week's supply.
'Blood-curdling scream' heard after car hits group, brawl erupts in Ponsonby
Three people were injured in the incident and a man was arrested at the scene.
Health watchdog taking years to investigate complaints - amid ‘significant pressure’
Covid backlog, ancient IT system part of problem, but upgrade request for latter rejected.
Sperm donor who was told he had no biological children finds son on DNA testing website
DNA testing websites are muddying the sensitive process of matching donors with families.
Mystery shopper finds vape stores openly selling banned products, failing to check ID
New rules for vaping are now in place. A mystery shopper found widespread non-compliance.
'Really hectic': Middlemore Hospital ED under strain with ambulance ramping, bed waits
There were reports of long waits for a bed and patients in corridors.
Pharmacies investigated for allegedly giving unnecessary immunisations
At one pharmacy, elderly patients getting a flu shot were also given child vaccinations.
ACC cutting 390 jobs - nearly 10 per cent of workforce
The public sector union said the cuts included 'vital' injury prevention staff.
ACC spending cuts expected to be announced today, 100 jobs possibly on the line
The agency's bosses said changes will not impact frontline services like rehabilitation.
Bowel cancer rates rise in under-50s, calls for lower screening age
Govt will lower the bowel cancer screening age to 55.
86yo Kiwi man attacked, hospitalised in Italy while on dream tour
Michael Johnson was on a dream opera tour in Italy when he was allegedly attacked.
Disability ministry didn't warn of funding changes because of concern about last-minute spend-up
Newly released documents shed light on the leadup to the shock funding changes in March.
Family lays complaint after 22-year-old dies suddenly in Middlemore Hospital
The family claimed Jaydyn Barnett was ready to go home but died suddenly after a fall.
ADHD medication prescription rates rise tenfold for adults in NZ
Higher prescription rates reflected greater recognition of ADHD, the study's author said.
Disability ministry’s problems revealed in confidential memo
The Government is expected to confirm a review of Whaikaha today.
University of Auckland taken to ERA by ‘Plan B’ academic Simon Thornley
The university is now involved in a new employment dispute.
Diabetes: Pharmac’s funding of glucose monitors a major step - with a few catches
Up to 18,000 people with diabetes will soon get free access to life-saving technology.
Rising number of cancer screening samples binned because of transit delays
One family said they hand-delivered a sample to the post office and it still arrived late.
Man pleads guilty, will pay $16k for K Rd rainbow crossing vandalism
Ford O'Connor is married to Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki's granddaughter.
'Full' GP clinics enrol more patients after being bought by healthcare company
Rapid growth of corporate GP ownership has upsides - but also some new pressures.
Studies reveal burden of excessive drinking on strained EDs
Interviews with patients in the ED show harmful drinkers are more likely to be older men.
Medsafe seizes eczema creams after 'potent steroid' warning
Users have been told to dispose of the products and check with a GP for side-effects.
Homicide investigation after brawl at 21st birthday leaves two dead
The mass brawl took place in Gisborne.
Family members of two dead gather at scene of mass brawl
Three people are in a critical condition at Gisborne Hospital, which is in lockdown.
'A scarcity of research': Are menstruation and suicide sometimes connected?
Women attempt suicide at much greater rates than men, but little is known why.
Disability sector appalled by sudden restrictions on support funding
The changes were announced with no warning and were effective immediately.
Luxon says he won't change cap on age limits for public roles
An Ombudsman has been forced to retire this month because of the 50-year-old law.
Pedestrian killed in Papatoetoe hit-and-run was 14-year-old boy
Alcohol and speeding were believed to be factors in the collision, principal says.
Double the pay: Kiwi nurses still heading to Oz despite big pay rises at home
One nurse says she gets twice the pay, free return airfares, accommodation and a car.
Concerns at capacity GP clinics are ‘cream-skimming’ and discriminating in selecting new patients
Staff surveys said four in five GPs had closed books or limited enrolments.
‘Not children’s toys’: Trauma surgeons call for stricter rules on deadly air rifles
Doctors want air guns regulated like other firearms
What's next for the chop in Govt's health reforms sights?
Health Minister Shane Reti plans to scrap another key part of the Health NZ reforms.
Emotions run high as Māori Health Authority scrapped in urgent debate
Opposition MPs cried as the last stages of the law change were passed under urgency.
Govt accused of treating Māori as ‘expendable’ in emotional debate
Parliament will go into urgency to debate the law change this afternoon.
Waiheke Island ferry turned around after fight breaks out among passengers
Passengers waited 90 minutes while police were called for support.
500-plus staff made redundant at Health NZ - paid out $9 million
Executives say Health NZ's first year was challenging, benefits are starting to be seen.
GP at Shane Reti’s old clinic more than $100k in the red, urges him to fix funding
'We have got to the point that we are running out of time.'
Free breast cancer screening for 69 to 74-year-olds to start within three years
Health Minister says there is "a lot to be done" before the screening age can be lifted.
Rugby club grieves death of second young player in two years
Caleb Baker, 22, died in a car crash on the Hawke's Bay Expressway on Friday.
GP clinic writes candid letter to patients explaining fee increase
GPs are taking out new mortgages and hiking fees as funding doesn't cover their costs.
‘Gay blood ban’ removal would triple number of blood donors, study says
NZ Blood Service is scrapping "discriminatory" rules which stop many gay men from donating
Prostate cancer patient dies after test results missed by GPs
The Aged Care Commissioner found several doctors failed to notice warning signs.
Clear the air: Govt ministers asked to disclose tobacco industry links
Government remains under scrutiny over its smokefree repeals - and any industry influence.
New research shows which families are most at risk of cot death
First study of Pacific infant sleep practices finds gaps in the way advice is being given.
Aussie holiday nightmare: Grandmother's health crisis sees family face $100k bill
Sui Manase's family faces a $100,000 bill for a Medivac flight back to Auckland.
Cot death: Baby may have been saved if Oranga Tamariki had helped with bedding, says coroner
Silongo Mafi, 3 months old, died while sharing a bed with his mother.
What does a new Government mean for assisted dying in New Zealand?
A more conservative Cabinet may make it more difficult to broaden the law.
'I feel disgusting': Woman ends up with uneven breasts after two surgeons operate
The Health and Disability Commission is investigating the woman's care at Middlemore.
Vermin and stench: Some NZers living in ‘homes unfit for human occupation’
Agencies described rundown homes cluttered with rubbish and infested with vermin.
Vacant $50m property in central Auckland vandalised as former owners look for a new home for the disabled
The new board at Laura Fergusson Trust is now looking for a new facility in Auckland.
Parkinson’s disease detected by smartwatch seven years before diagnosis
Wearable devices are better than any other method for picking up the disease, study finds.
Mystery donor: Kidney transplant recipient wants to know who gave her a long wonderful life
Minja Ivelja credits her longevity to excellent expert care … and a lot of Bacardi.
Huge Middlemore ED demand: Plea for patients with ‘threats to life or limb’ only
The plea comes as new data shows large numbers are going to EDs and facing longer delays.
Achoo! Hay fever soars as El Nino stirs up huge levels of pollen
The first snapshot of pollen levels in 35 years shows big rise in particles in the air.