Health News Update

Brought to you by Ministry Of Health

  • Mental Health Bill introduced to the House 30 Sep 2024
    News article Publication date: 1 October 2024 The new Mental Health Bill has been introduced and is now publicly available.View the bill on the Legislation website.The Mental Health Bill will repeal the current Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992, which is more than thirty years old and no longer fit for purpose.The Bill sets out the […]
  • Rollout of new medicines across New Zealand begins 30 Sep 2024
    News article Publication date: 1 October 2024 1 October marks the first day a range of new medicines, including cancer medicines, will start to become available in hospitals and health centres across New Zealand.The Ministry of Health is one of the agencies tasked with ensuring New Zealanders can readily access new and widened medicines as part of the Govern […]
  • New funding for child and youth mental health survey 26 Sep 2024
    News article Publication date: 27 September 2024 The Ministry of Health welcomes the Government’s commitment to ongoing funding of $2 million per year for a Child and Youth Mental Health and Addiction Prevalence Survey, Dean Rutherford, Deputy Director-General, Evidence Research & Innovation says.‘The survey will measure the range, proportion, and distri […]
  • Vaping regulations coming into effect 1 October 23 Sep 2024
    News article Publication date: 24 September 2024 The deadline for all vaping devices to have removeable batteries and a child safety mechanism is coming up on 1  October 2024. Any devices that do not have a removeable battery, and a compliant child safety mechanism cannot be sold from this date.The change is part of a crack down on youth vaping re-confirmed […]
  • Medsafe updating advice on nitrous oxide abuse 19 Sep 2024
    News article Publication date: 22 September 2024 Medsafe has been exploring regulatory options to address increasing misuse of nitrous oxide, leading to the decision to update its advice on the law in relation to the supply and use of nitrous oxide for recreational use.Medsafe now advises that when nitrous oxide is sold primarily for the purpose of inducing […]
  • Series of prosecutions begins for illegal cigarette and vape sales 12 Sep 2024
    News article Publication date: 17 September 2024 A discount vape and tobacco shop owner, as well as a cigar shop, and its owner, have received fines totalling $36,000 following enforcement and legal action by Health New Zealand and the Ministry of Health. These are the initial sentencings in a series of prosecutions being undertaken by the Ministry against r […]
  • Mpox vaccine 11 Sep 2024
    News article Publication date: 11 September 2024 The mpox vaccine has been given provisional approval by Medsafe.This means that health services can now promote the vaccine with those groups who require protection.It also means our public health professionals will have an easier task in promoting it to the right groups and it will help simplify accessing the […]
  • Research into health and wellbeing impacts of adverse weather conditions 02 Sep 2024
    News article Publication date: 3 September 2024 Key findings and recommendations on the health and wellbeing impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle have been published today: Research into health and wellbeing impacts of adverse weather conditions.‘The results from this rapid research, commissioned by Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora in 2023, will help us to underst […]