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- Vape retailer prosecuted over repeated sales to under-18s 04 Oct 2026Media release Publication date: 5 October 2026 Specialist vape retailer, Discount Mall Vape Ltd, has been fined $35,000 for selling vapes to minors and failing to take all practicable steps to prevent young people from entering their shops, following joint action by Health New Zealand and the Ministry of Health. This is the first prosecution brought against […]
- Office of the Director of Mental Health and Addiction Services Regulatory Report 2024–25 published 29 Sep 2026News article Publication date: 30 September 2026 The Ministry of Health has published the 2024-25 Office of the Director of Mental Health and Addiction Services Regulatory Report.The report presents data about the use of compulsory assessment and treatment in New Zealand and helps the Ministry to understand the quality of compulsory care that our mental heal […]
- Regulatory changes to support best practice for controlled drugs 22 Sep 2026News article Publication date: 23 September 2026 Changes are being made to controlled drug regulations, improving efficiency while maintaining safeguards to protect patient and public safety.The Misuse of Drugs Amendment Regulations (No 2) 2026 will come into effect on 1 October 2026. These modernise some requirements around controlled drugs set out in the M […]
- Pacific emergency medical teams strengthen coordination in Auckland 10 Sep 2026News article Publication date: 11 September 2026 Emergency health professionals from across the Pacific and wider Western Pacific region gathered in Auckland this week for the 2026 World Health Organization Emergency Medical Team Coordination Cell (EMTCC) training and exercise. Emergency Medical Team Coordination Cell (EMTCC) training and exercise. Hosted by […]
- Health and Independence Report 2025 released 04 Sep 2026News article Publication date: 7 September 2026 The Ministry of Health has published the 2025 Health and Independence Report, providing a comprehensive overview of the health of New Zealanders and the performance of the health system. The report brings together data from across the health system to provide a snapshot of New Zealand’s population, health outc […]
- Two psychiatrists granted approval to prescribe medicinal MDMA for PTSD 03 Sep 2026News article Publication date: 4 September 2026 Medsafe has approved two New Zealand psychiatrists to prescribe pharmaceutical-grade MDMA as part of a treatment programme for eligible adults with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The approval provides an additional treatment option for people whose symptoms have not responded to conventional therapies. […]
- Work continues to strengthen safeguards for pelvic floor care 24 Aug 2026News article Publication date: 25 August 2026 On 23 August 2023 the Director-General of Health endorsed a pause in the use of surgical mesh to treat female stress urinary incontinence (SUI), following a recommendation from the Surgical Mesh Round Table (SMRT). This precautionary measure was taken to reduce harm and ensure patient safety.The Ministry of Healt […]
- Updated blood testing requirements for patients taking clozapine 24 Aug 2026News article Publication date: 24 August 2026 Blood monitoring requirements for patients taking the psychiatric medicine clozapine will change from March 2027, helping reduce disruptions for patients while maintaining important safeguards.Under the new system, monthly blood monitoring will no longer be mandatory for some stable patients who have been on cont […]