Auckland, Feb 5 NZPA - Having a puff on a cigarette at the beach may become a thing of the past under a proposal to ban smoking in many outdoor areas.

Wellington, Dec 18 NZPA - Health authorities are continuing to track down people exposed to measles by a baby who flew from London to Christchurch via Auckland.

Wellington, Dec 17 NZPA - Health authorities are trying to contact 84 people exposed to measles by a baby who flew from London to Christchurch via Auckland.

Concern for people's health over the festive and summer season has prompted Dr Julia Peters, clinical director at Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) to advise, "Enjoy this summer but stay tuned to the potential health and safety risks in your environment, including seasonal stressors

The Families Commission is supporting Judge Boshier's call for a radical re-think of support for families through separation.

To mark the beginning of New Zealand's annual Foodsafe Week, 10,000 primary students around the country will get hands on experience with hand hygiene thanks to Initial Hygiene's 'Hands on Hygiene' programme.

One of Auckland's most popular school camps opened its doors in the weekend after a five-month closure.

School holidays, daylight savings and the onset of spring heralds a natural return to our beautiful Auckland beaches. However, The Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) is still advising some caution at the beach - particularly on Narrow Neck and Cheltenham beaches.

The Families Commission is pleased to announce Ruben Wiki as the first White Ribbon Ambassador. Ruben will be actively raising awareness of men's violence against women as part of White Ribbon Day.

The Department of Conservation is concerned about recent dolphin deaths in the Hauraki Gulf, and has commissioned toxicology tests to try to determine how they died.