Latest from Health and Community Services
Bid for inquiry into Ōhinemutu sewage spills fails
A cracked pipe last month led to sewage spilling into a geothermal pond in Ruapeka Bay.
End of swimming pool weeds: Family's delight as cyclone-hit home gets green light
42 Havelock North homes are out of limbo after two-and-a-half years.
New virtual health service launches with fees up to $99 per visit
Patients under 14 or Community Services Card holders are eligible for subsidies.
'Highly uncertain': MetService chief on Cyclone Gabrielle forecast challenges
Chris Noble explained MetService's warning process: outlooks, watches, and warnings.
‘Disappointed’: Māori advisory group says there was a 'breach' in relationship with Minister
It's put staff in an "invidious position", says the group.
Teen kicked out of Govt’s bootcamp pilot for alleged offending
There are now eight participants in the Government's controversial pilot.
Toddler speared through mouth with metal straw after falling off bike
The 16cm straw was removed by doctors six hours after the accident.
Dentist left piece of tooth in patient's gum, hospitalised another after piercing her cheek
More complaints have come to light about a struck-off dentist's work.
She's moved 14 times since toxic flooding forced her out - now she has a place to call home
'We can rest, heal, rebuild and dream again.'
Health Ministry manager 'way too friendly' with alcohol lobby
Alcohol lobbyists gave input on FASD plans, with some submissions fully redacted.
Battery blaze: Ute fire damages electric vehicle, home in Westmere
Two vehicles went up in flames near a two-storey house.
‘Big character’: Community mourns farmer killed by tree in South Island floods
Lines' family have been growing hops in the region for about 170 years.
'Please don’t go for my face': Dog drags terrified great-grandmother off mobility scooter
'The pain was out of this world. I’d rather give birth.'
Bus carrying 19 students crashes into river, several hospitalised
Telegraph: The bus veered off Bishopstoke Road into the River Itchen in Eastleigh.
'Felt like a cyclone': Residents reel as possible tornado hits West Harbour
Trees fell on homes as 100km/h winds ripped through the area.
Ending healthcare’s postcode lottery remains a distant dream - Isaac Davison
A new report shows why patients are waiting longer for hip, knee and joint surgeries.
One in 10 have disease that Te Pāti Māori MP battled - 400 are on wait list for transplant
Among Māori and Pasifika, the rate with the illness may be as high as one in five.
'Distorting the market': Virtual GP service could cut patient fees, sparks sector backlash
The 24/7 service is expected to launch next month, with five providers confirmed so far.
Why some Māngere homeowners reject council's flood buy-out offer
Two Tongan residents in Māngere face selling or keeping their homes.
'Constant battle': Couch dumping into beloved stream infuriates
Glyn Harrison and his 12-year-old daughter Micah aren’t your typical armchair critics.
Microplastics in glass bottles surpass levels found in plastic containers
Painted metal caps on glass bottles contribute to microplastic presence.
Most of Ōrākei retirement village to be demolished, new $336m village to rise
The partnership means the retirement giant leases the Ōrākei site for 125 years.
Tears as private ambulance operators found guilty of forgery; altering documents
Private ambulance operators say they injected drugs into fruit as training exercises.
Major supermarket apologises for humiliating woman with false shoplifting claim
The supermarket said its staff caused her public embarrassment and distress.
'Scary as hell': Council couldn't find way to stop hoarding before weekend inferno
'I just knew that one day this would happen.'
Woman lay dead in flat for two days, care worker assumed she was sleeping
Music played as Ruth Finau lay dead in her small flat in South Auckland.
Northland retirement village residents rally for urgent law changes
Public consultation on the Retirement Villages Act review began in 2023.