Health
Mental health advocates welcome funding but raise concerns
Mental health advocates are welcoming a funding boost for crisis care but are concerned there's no national plan and decisions are being made based on decades old data. The government has detailed a… Audio
Vaccination efforts ramp up as measles outbreak concerns experts
Vaccination efforts are ramping up as part of a nationwide Measles Immunisation Week campaign amid an outbreak that's got experts concerned. There are now 17 known cases of the highly-infectious… Audio
New Blenheim dialysis unit to save patients hours long trip
The opening of a new dialysis unit in Blenheim will save patients with kidney failure a four-hour return trip to Nelson for treatment. The four-chair unit, called Tātari Toto, will initially open for… Audio
Over $60m of funding announced for mental health services
More than $60 million of funding has been announced for mental health services across the country, to bolster what's been called a fragmented and inconsistent system. Mental Health Minister Matt… Audio
Teen vaping impacts on smoking rates, researchers say
While smoking numbers have reduced, there is concern about the impact the introduction of vaping products has had. Audio
Midday Report Essentials for Wednesday 5 November 2025
Unemployment edged up to a near nine-year high as businesses halted hiring, but slack in the jobs market increased, and wage growth slowed further; New research shows vaping is the likely reason for… Audio
Are you taking the correct dosage of paracetamol?
If you're just about to pop a Panadol tablet - you may want to pause first. New research by Auckland University shows many of us are taking too much paracetamol. It found a third of us commonly take… Audio
Research links vaping to rise in smoking rates
New research shows vaping is the likely reason for increasing smoking rates in Maori and Pacifica teens despite claims e-cigarettes help people quit. Otago University Associate professor Andrew Waa… Audio
Morning Report Essentials for Wednesday 5 November
Nicola Willis and Carmel Sepuloni joined Morning Report this morning for the Weekly Political Panel; SkyCity finally has the keys to the long-delayed International Convention Centre in Auckland… Audio
New weight loss drugs will be 'life changing' for youth with type 2 diabetes, doctor says
More young people are being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and the country is potentially facing a "major health crisis", Diabetes NZ says. Audio
Whakamātūtū on brink of closure
The Depression Recovery Trust's Wellington treatment centre, Whakamātūtū, is on the brink of closing down after ACC pulled its funding. Audio
Should young people take creatine?
It's shown to be safe and effective for adults, but only a few studies have looked into the effects on children and teens.
Diabetes becoming more common in younger Kiwis
Experts are alarmed the number of New Zealanders with diabetes is not just getting bigger, it's also getting younger. Starship Hospital's paediatric endocrinologist, Dr Craig Jefferies spoke to Corin… Audio
Whakamātūtū on brink of closing down
Wellington's Depression Recovery Centre is on the brink of closing down, because of a lack of funding. Ali Lewis is a client at Whakamātūtū and spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio
Dentists call for urgent action on access to treatment
Dentists are calling for urgent government action on affordability and access to treatments, as demand for dental aid grants continues to rise. President of the New Zealand Dental Association Dave… Audio
Measles vaccination campaign underway in Auckland
Measles vaccination efforts are ramping up in Auckland communities, with pop-up clinics, door to door campaigns and pharmacies all doing their part. Audio
How frogs were used as medicine in the medieval age
Greti Dinkova-Bruun is a Fellow and Library Director at the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies in Toronto, and has been looking into medieval texts to find how frogs were depicted and used for… Audio
Retirement village residents descend on Parliament
RV President Brian Peat said it was a chance for political parties to show they're "committed to fairness and dignity for older Kiwis".
AI scribe cuts after-hours admin in hospital EDs, trial finds
But a primary health academic warns it could damage patient trust in the health system. Audio
Anaesthetic laced vapes cause hospitalisations
A warning to beware illegal vapes after some laced with an anaesthetic drug have caused hospitalisations. Etomidate has been detected in illicit vapes sold under names like space oil, K pods and space… Audio
