The significant pay increases set to be awarded to nurses and care assistants working for DHBs will need to be matched with government funding for support workers and nurses working for disability providers.

The Association of Salaried Medical Specialists Toi Mata Hauora says DHBs are taking a lazy approach to staff wellbeing by making token payments and providing cheap snacks.

Wellington’s Capital and Coast DHB has put $10 into staff accounts as a wellbeing payment.

New Zealand’s potential to develop a high-grade medicinal cannabis export sector has been given a significant boost by the funding of a major programme to study and improve medicinal cannabis genetic breeding and organic production.

The Government’s proposal for all primary schools to be sugary beverage free is seen as a baby step by health experts, with Health Coalition Aotearoa (HCA) nutritionists saying the proposal needs to apply to all schools, and include healthy food.

"Health is the largest emitter of carbon emissions in the public sector, and the health reforms will be the biggest test thus far of the Government’s pledge to decarbonise the public sector," New Zealand Medical Association Chair, Dr Alistair Humphrey said.

Tertiary students are more than twice as likely as the general population to be living in damp and mouldy homes, a study by researchers at the University of Otago, Wellington has found.

Ordering an online Uber Eats, other food, alcohol or vaping delivery from the comfort of your couch is hugely popular - but a new study is calling for urgent government action, due to concerns unregulated, on-demand, home deliveries may be damaging the nation’s health.

The COVID-19 vaccine booster shot gives strong protection against the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and is now considered a key requirement in developing optimal immunity.

Public Service Commissioner Peter Hughes has today announced the Director-General of Health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, has chosen to step down at the end of July.

Australian politicians who recognize the public health potential of vaping will be rewarded with votes, yet most remain too scared to promote the world’s most effective smoking cessation tool, says the Coalition of Asia Pacific Tobacco Harm Reduction Advocates (CAPHRA).